Re: [M100] - Text Sweet 2.3 Release

[Stephen Adolph]

hey works great!!!
thanks George. I'm using my (updated!) MVT100 Desktop terminal emulator to
play Tsweep!

steve

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 6:02 PM grima...@gmail.com 
wrote:

> Hi Steve,
>
> I updated it again. I think I accidentally uploaded the wrong file
> initially.
>
> https://github.com/Grimakis/TextSweeper/releases/tag/2.5.1-beta.2
>
> https://imgur.com/a/JyLsAdX
>
> I’ve linked photos of how it renders on a real DVI. The above is how I
> have intended it to look.
>
> Let me know if you’re getting the same results with your program.
>
> Re: ASCII not loading cleanly. I’ve been experiencing issues when loading
> the ASCII as .BA in Virtual T. However, if I load it as .DO first and then
> use BASIC to tokenize it (either in Virtual T or real hardware), it works
> fine.
>
> Not sure if perhaps there is a bug in Virtual T or not.
>
> -George
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 5:08 PM Stephen Adolph 
> wrote:
>
>> thanks George.
>> I loaded it (.BA version, the .DO version won't load clean.
>>
>> Runs, but the controls are on top of the bottom half of the board.
>> but I can see it coming together!
>> cheers and thanks
>> Steve
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 4:41 PM grima...@gmail.com 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Steve,
>>>
>>> https://github.com/Grimakis/TextSweeper/releases/tag/2.5.1-beta.1
>>>
>>> I just put together a pre-release of 2.5.1, which I have tested against
>>> the original DVI hardware and it works now in both 40 col and 80 col mode.
>>> Feel free to check it out with your DVI Work Alike solution, and let me
>>> know what you think.
>>>
>>> Best,
>>> George
>>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 3:10 PM Stephen Adolph 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 [image: ResizerImage574X765.jpg]
 yes,
 I have done a lot of work on making an external 80column video solution
 that is a  "DVI work alike" accessible without actually having a DVI.

 First you need some driver software on the M100.
 1) VT100 driver - found here -->
 https://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=VT100
 or
 2) via REX#/REXCPM.

 To actually show video on an external monitor, the driver software
 treats Screen1 as RS-232 and Screen2 as serial via a hardware hack to the
 BCR port.   So, an external serial terminal can be used to show the video
 info.

 Then you need a solution for serial terminal.
 There are 2
 1)  MVT100 video adapter, based on the Geoff VT100 serial terminal
 board --> https://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=VT100
 or
 2) the MVT100 windows application found here -->
 http://club100.org/memfiles/index.php?direction===Steve%20Adolph/MVT100%20for%20PC;

 Anyhow, I find external video quite nice to have but I never
 appreciated the DVI much myself.  Had 2, sold them both.




 On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:50 PM grima...@gmail.com 
 wrote:

> I see, when you say your DVI software do you mean the software that
> emulates the DVI itself?
>
> Modifying the print statements is definitely doable, and I can add
> that to my TODOs.
>
> However, as someone who uses the DVI, I personally do like the 40
> column mode. Being able to switch between 40 and 80 col on demand is 
> useful
> in my opinion. Very similar to how the Apple II works: 40col is just more
> legible in a lot of situations.
>
> -George
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:42 PM Stephen Adolph 
> wrote:
>
>> my stuff doesn't support 40 columns.  that's why I was asking!
>> To me, 40 column mode on the DVI seems silly, but that's just me.
>>
>> Anyways, if you don't want to adapt the print@ statements, I get it.
>> thanks anyways.
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:40 PM grima...@gmail.com <
>> grima...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> I think the way I would prefer to handle it would be to check the
>>> initial setting of 40/80 when the program starts, switch the screen to 
>>> 40,
>>> and then switch back on exit.
>>>
>>> Do you know is there a way to switch to 40 columns mode without
>>> calling WIDTH? I assume if I use any keywords exclusive to Disk Basic it
>>> will break compatibility with regular Basic.
>>>
>>> Best,
>>> George
>>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:17 PM Stephen Adolph 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 George,
 I think it would be fine to use only 40 columns.
 just make it tolerate 80 cols wide.
 (all of my DVI software assumes 80 columns).
 thoughts?
 Steve



 On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:09 PM grima...@gmail.com <
 grima...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Steve,
>
> As of right now, it’s supporting only 40col mode.
>
> Currently, the way I am taking advantage of the DVI and T200
> larger displays are to have the Controls/Help screen displayed below 
> the
> game 

Re: [M100] Possible BBS launch

[Joseph Colson III]

What equipment would you suggest ?

Joe


From: M100  On Behalf Of Jesse Lafleur
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2023 7:53 AM
To: m...@bitchin100.com
Subject: Re: [M100] Possible BBS launch

You can 100% accomplish this using an affordable PAP2T ATA connected to either 
a local asterisk (free PBX software) or remote asterisk server over ethernet.
This can be run entirely virtualised - no special hardware other than either a 
"landline" or the pap2t. (ill get to rotary later..)

The PAP2T and asterisk can provide ulaw to allow 300bps connections. Yes, 
running a local asterisk is far more stable than trying to connect to one 
remotely, but ive done it!
I have a setup functioning to 4800 baud for faster modems as well.

The rotary element will likely need a pulse to tone adapter, lots of options 
for that, I use a PBX and I also have a few purpose devices new and old.

You can easily have a BBS software or custom *NIX program to interface, and 
with the various termcap things in this group that have been shared, you can 
get a viable connection.

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:41 AM grima...@gmail.com 
mailto:grima...@gmail.com>> wrote:
Hi Jesse,

Do you happen to have any more details on your setup?

I suppose in an ideal world, I’d like a setup that I can dial out from my 
rotary phone, and a second line that I could dial in to a modem.

How difficult does that sound? I tried to use MagicJack previously but the 
compression codex they use doesn’t play well with data transfer.

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:11 AM Jesse Lafleur 
mailto:jesslafl...@gmail.com>> wrote:
I can provide bell 103 compatible 100% online dial-in access to linux 
servers/services using voip/asterisk/etc. I use my m100 to dial into my local 
home pbx server, and ive even tried it over the web!

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 7:44 AM grima...@gmail.com 
mailto:grima...@gmail.com>> wrote:
What are the odds that any of these BBSes would allow dialing in from a real 
phone line?

There is a Commodore 64 BBS out there called BorderlineBBS that has a hybrid 
Telnet/Dial-Up interface.

I managed to use the acoustic couplers to dial in once from the Model T, but 
ever since switching to VOIP I wasn’t able to get it to work.

I really always loved BBSing, so I would be in full support of using a Model T 
focused BBS.

-George

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 7:30 AM Ben Strewens 
mailto:bungop...@gmail.com>> wrote:
On 2023-02-26 4:50 a.m., Daniel L wrote:
I'm considering a specialized launch of a BBS catering to the modelT community. 
Any good boards out there already doing this that I can peruse?

Daniel

I'm currently working on one that will support multiple systems, including the 
model 100. I'm aiming for going all the way down to the Epson HX-20, but we'll 
see how that pans out. It won't be up and running for a while yet. We're 
supposed to get a new ISP here this year. The one who bought out the company I 
was with closed all my ports and had no clue how to re-open them, so my BBS got 
shut down. In the meantime, I figured I'd work on one that caters to the 
vintage computer community. I still have lots of work ahead of me.

Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

[Joseph Colson III]

Yah I agree I would love to get hold of an OWL !It does look fun!

Joe

From: M100  On Behalf Of Daniel L
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2023 3:44 AM
To: m100@lists.bitchin100.com
Subject: Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

Good video Jeff. Anyone have a demo for that weather tracker? Looks DOPE
On 2/25/23 07:31, bir...@soigeneris.com wrote:
Morning all,

I just made this video live this AM. The DARs for the Model T computers have 
sold out already but my friend is making more.

In this video we take a look at the 'Dial-A-ROM' a spiffy new multi-ROM for 
vintage portable computers. It was designed by the same guy who did the 
Backpack drive. First, we'll learn how to use the Dial-A-ROM with the ROM 
images that come preinstalled on it. Then we'll see how to add our own ROM 
images if we so desire.
https://youtu.be/CejyLsI0HIw

Jeff Birt (Hey Birt!)

Re: [M100] Burning a 27C256 EPROM

[Joseph Colson III]

I purchased one a few days ago.   I went with Xegcu Pro T48.   I’m sure you are 
correct that someone would burn it for me, but I wanted to learn a little 
something new.

Joe

From: M100  On Behalf Of Mike Stein
Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2023 10:20 PM
To: m...@bitchin100.com
Subject: Re: [M100] Burning a 27C256 EPROM

Did you buy your programmer? Always useful to have, but if you're only buying 
it to burn this ROM I'm sure there are folks on here that would burn one and 
mail it to you, depending on where you live.

m


On Wed, Feb 15, 2023 at 4:47 PM Joseph Colson III 
mailto:joecols...@outlook.com>> wrote:
While surfing the private files on the Club100 site the file below caught my 
eye as I have a booster pack and would like to update the System ROM.   My 
question for the group is how much do the programmers cost?   What inexpensive 
programmer would you suggest?  Is it difficult to program?   Any links to 
software or documentation would be helpful.

As Always Thanks for your help,

Joe


(  BP1ROM_Fixed.bin  )
This is the Booster Pak v1.23 "BP1" main system ROM image which includes the 
multi-page file display bug fix. With the original ROM, if you have more than 
two pages of files to display, you would only ever be able to see the second 
page of files when pressing shift-down. The third page of files or beyond was 
inaccessible due to a limitation in Traveling Software's TPDD client. Well, 
with this replacement BP1 system ROM image, the limitation is gone! The bug fix 
was originally made available in Ken Pettit's release of the TS-DOS 4.10 option 
ROM. This fix has been extended to all RAM versions of TS-DOS, as well as the 
SARDOS option ROM. And now, it is available for the "Disk" client that is in 
your Booster Pak's system ROM. Just burn this image to a standard 27C256 EPROM 
and replace your Booster Pak's "BP1" chip which would be all the way on the 
bottom-right side of your Booster Pak's sockets.

Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

[Eric LK]

I've just seen the video, and this is definitely a great idea.

If I understand correctly, the working principle is that the rotary
encoder sets the higher bits of the eeprom's address pins.

The "classic" RC2014 (the original model with 32KB RAM and 8KB ROM,
not the new fancy ones with 512+KB that run CP/M) uses something like
that with jumpers (it has a 64KB EEPROM and 3 jumpers allowing to
choose 1 of 8 ROM images).

I didn't like having to mess with jumpers everytime I wanted to switch
ROM, so a couple of years ago I made a small PCB to replace them with
an Attiny13A (the cheapest available MC with enough pins at the time).

I wonder if something like that could be implemented on top of  the
Dial-A-ROM because this is incredibly convenient to use on the RC2014.

Basically, the Attiny selects the ROM by setting the higher bits of
address of the EEPROM.
It also monitors the reset signal, and whenever it's low for more than
2 seconds it selects the next ROM image (it keeps switching image
every 2 seconds while RESET is low) and when you release the RESET
button, it saves the newly selected ROM number in its internal EEPROM
for the next cold boot).

Here is a picture (this is the green PCB) :
http://pics.lefauve.org/PXL_20230226_224656582.jpg

The 3 LED show the currently selected ROM number. They're always on
but I think that if we connect their cathode to RESET instead of GND,
they will just light up while the RESET button is pressed so it
shouldn't have too much impact on the battery life.

The one jumper on the PCB is just here to force A15 to Vcc, which is
convenient for me because I'm using a 32KB EEPROM at the moment; that
shouldn't be needed with the M100.

The main issue I can see is that it would still require removing the
trapdoor to see the leds when switching ROM image, which kind of
defeats the "instant option ROM switch by the press of a button" but
perhaps one of you guys will come with a solution for this? ;o)

Cheers,
Eric

Re: [M100] - Text Sweet 2.3 Release

[Stephen Adolph]

Thank you!  Can't test until later tonight.

When I transfer the .do file to my m100 it has some strange line
terminators.

I use mComm to transfer.  I'll check it out more closely later.

Steve

On Sunday, February 26, 2023, grima...@gmail.com  wrote:

> Hi Steve,
>
> I updated it again. I think I accidentally uploaded the wrong file
> initially.
>
> https://github.com/Grimakis/TextSweeper/releases/tag/2.5.1-beta.2
>
> https://imgur.com/a/JyLsAdX
>
> I’ve linked photos of how it renders on a real DVI. The above is how I
> have intended it to look.
>
> Let me know if you’re getting the same results with your program.
>
> Re: ASCII not loading cleanly. I’ve been experiencing issues when loading
> the ASCII as .BA in Virtual T. However, if I load it as .DO first and then
> use BASIC to tokenize it (either in Virtual T or real hardware), it works
> fine.
>
> Not sure if perhaps there is a bug in Virtual T or not.
>
> -George
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 5:08 PM Stephen Adolph 
> wrote:
>
>> thanks George.
>> I loaded it (.BA version, the .DO version won't load clean.
>>
>> Runs, but the controls are on top of the bottom half of the board.
>> but I can see it coming together!
>> cheers and thanks
>> Steve
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 4:41 PM grima...@gmail.com 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Steve,
>>>
>>> https://github.com/Grimakis/TextSweeper/releases/tag/2.5.1-beta.1
>>>
>>> I just put together a pre-release of 2.5.1, which I have tested against
>>> the original DVI hardware and it works now in both 40 col and 80 col mode.
>>> Feel free to check it out with your DVI Work Alike solution, and let me
>>> know what you think.
>>>
>>> Best,
>>> George
>>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 3:10 PM Stephen Adolph 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 [image: ResizerImage574X765.jpg]
 yes,
 I have done a lot of work on making an external 80column video solution
 that is a  "DVI work alike" accessible without actually having a DVI.

 First you need some driver software on the M100.
 1) VT100 driver - found here --> https://bitchin100.com/wiki/
 index.php?title=VT100
 or
 2) via REX#/REXCPM.

 To actually show video on an external monitor, the driver software
 treats Screen1 as RS-232 and Screen2 as serial via a hardware hack to the
 BCR port.   So, an external serial terminal can be used to show the video
 info.

 Then you need a solution for serial terminal.
 There are 2
 1)  MVT100 video adapter, based on the Geoff VT100 serial terminal
 board --> https://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=VT100
 or
 2) the MVT100 windows application found here -->
 http://club100.org/memfiles/index.php?direction==;
 directory=Steve%20Adolph/MVT100%20for%20PC&

 Anyhow, I find external video quite nice to have but I never
 appreciated the DVI much myself.  Had 2, sold them both.




 On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:50 PM grima...@gmail.com 
 wrote:

> I see, when you say your DVI software do you mean the software that
> emulates the DVI itself?
>
> Modifying the print statements is definitely doable, and I can add
> that to my TODOs.
>
> However, as someone who uses the DVI, I personally do like the 40
> column mode. Being able to switch between 40 and 80 col on demand is 
> useful
> in my opinion. Very similar to how the Apple II works: 40col is just more
> legible in a lot of situations.
>
> -George
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:42 PM Stephen Adolph 
> wrote:
>
>> my stuff doesn't support 40 columns.  that's why I was asking!
>> To me, 40 column mode on the DVI seems silly, but that's just me.
>>
>> Anyways, if you don't want to adapt the print@ statements, I get it.
>> thanks anyways.
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:40 PM grima...@gmail.com <
>> grima...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> I think the way I would prefer to handle it would be to check the
>>> initial setting of 40/80 when the program starts, switch the screen to 
>>> 40,
>>> and then switch back on exit.
>>>
>>> Do you know is there a way to switch to 40 columns mode without
>>> calling WIDTH? I assume if I use any keywords exclusive to Disk Basic it
>>> will break compatibility with regular Basic.
>>>
>>> Best,
>>> George
>>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:17 PM Stephen Adolph 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 George,
 I think it would be fine to use only 40 columns.
 just make it tolerate 80 cols wide.
 (all of my DVI software assumes 80 columns).
 thoughts?
 Steve



 On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:09 PM grima...@gmail.com <
 grima...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Hi Steve,
>
> As of right now, it’s supporting only 40col mode.
>
> Currently, the way I am taking advantage of the DVI and T200
> larger 

Re: [M100] - Text Sweet 2.3 Release

[grima...@gmail.com]

Hi Steve,

I updated it again. I think I accidentally uploaded the wrong file
initially.

https://github.com/Grimakis/TextSweeper/releases/tag/2.5.1-beta.2

https://imgur.com/a/JyLsAdX

I’ve linked photos of how it renders on a real DVI. The above is how I have
intended it to look.

Let me know if you’re getting the same results with your program.

Re: ASCII not loading cleanly. I’ve been experiencing issues when loading
the ASCII as .BA in Virtual T. However, if I load it as .DO first and then
use BASIC to tokenize it (either in Virtual T or real hardware), it works
fine.

Not sure if perhaps there is a bug in Virtual T or not.

-George

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 5:08 PM Stephen Adolph  wrote:

> thanks George.
> I loaded it (.BA version, the .DO version won't load clean.
>
> Runs, but the controls are on top of the bottom half of the board.
> but I can see it coming together!
> cheers and thanks
> Steve
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 4:41 PM grima...@gmail.com 
> wrote:
>
>> Hi Steve,
>>
>> https://github.com/Grimakis/TextSweeper/releases/tag/2.5.1-beta.1
>>
>> I just put together a pre-release of 2.5.1, which I have tested against
>> the original DVI hardware and it works now in both 40 col and 80 col mode.
>> Feel free to check it out with your DVI Work Alike solution, and let me
>> know what you think.
>>
>> Best,
>> George
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 3:10 PM Stephen Adolph 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> [image: ResizerImage574X765.jpg]
>>> yes,
>>> I have done a lot of work on making an external 80column video solution
>>> that is a  "DVI work alike" accessible without actually having a DVI.
>>>
>>> First you need some driver software on the M100.
>>> 1) VT100 driver - found here -->
>>> https://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=VT100
>>> or
>>> 2) via REX#/REXCPM.
>>>
>>> To actually show video on an external monitor, the driver software
>>> treats Screen1 as RS-232 and Screen2 as serial via a hardware hack to the
>>> BCR port.   So, an external serial terminal can be used to show the video
>>> info.
>>>
>>> Then you need a solution for serial terminal.
>>> There are 2
>>> 1)  MVT100 video adapter, based on the Geoff VT100 serial terminal board
>>> --> https://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=VT100
>>> or
>>> 2) the MVT100 windows application found here -->
>>> http://club100.org/memfiles/index.php?direction===Steve%20Adolph/MVT100%20for%20PC;
>>>
>>> Anyhow, I find external video quite nice to have but I never appreciated
>>> the DVI much myself.  Had 2, sold them both.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:50 PM grima...@gmail.com 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 I see, when you say your DVI software do you mean the software that
 emulates the DVI itself?

 Modifying the print statements is definitely doable, and I can add that
 to my TODOs.

 However, as someone who uses the DVI, I personally do like the 40
 column mode. Being able to switch between 40 and 80 col on demand is useful
 in my opinion. Very similar to how the Apple II works: 40col is just more
 legible in a lot of situations.

 -George

 On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:42 PM Stephen Adolph 
 wrote:

> my stuff doesn't support 40 columns.  that's why I was asking!
> To me, 40 column mode on the DVI seems silly, but that's just me.
>
> Anyways, if you don't want to adapt the print@ statements, I get it.
> thanks anyways.
>
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:40 PM grima...@gmail.com 
> wrote:
>
>> I think the way I would prefer to handle it would be to check the
>> initial setting of 40/80 when the program starts, switch the screen to 
>> 40,
>> and then switch back on exit.
>>
>> Do you know is there a way to switch to 40 columns mode without
>> calling WIDTH? I assume if I use any keywords exclusive to Disk Basic it
>> will break compatibility with regular Basic.
>>
>> Best,
>> George
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:17 PM Stephen Adolph 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> George,
>>> I think it would be fine to use only 40 columns.
>>> just make it tolerate 80 cols wide.
>>> (all of my DVI software assumes 80 columns).
>>> thoughts?
>>> Steve
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:09 PM grima...@gmail.com <
>>> grima...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
 Hi Steve,

 As of right now, it’s supporting only 40col mode.

 Currently, the way I am taking advantage of the DVI and T200 larger
 displays are to have the Controls/Help screen displayed below the game
 screen (preventing the need to switch between the two)

 As others have mentioned, I could allow for an actual larger
 minefield. However, at this time, I don’t have plans for that.

 My primary goals in the short terms are to improve the base game
 experience, which in my mind is oriented around the M100, as well as to
 

Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

[birt_j]

Thanks Gary, of course you are right. The DISK and RAM key works as you 
describe too. 

 

Jeff

 

From: M100  On Behalf Of Gary Weber
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2023 1:51 PM
To: m...@bitchin100.com
Cc: m100@lists.bitchin100.com
Subject: Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

 

Hi Jeff.  That's a fancy little unit! Great functionality for such an 
inexpensive device.  

One quick note about your TS-DOS uninstall portion:  In the TS-DOS screen, the 
key label on F5 shows the actual current state, not what pressing the key would 
change it to. When you see "DOS-OFF", it means the DOS is unhooked.  Pressing 
it so that it changes to DOS-ON actually means you've just hooked it into 
memory.  You can verify the truth of my statement by having it show the 
"DOS-ON" status, and then drop into BASIC and type LFILES when you have a 
Backpack hooked up.

 

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 12:03 PM Brian K. White mailto:b.kenyo...@gmail.com> > wrote:

On 2/26/23 12:16, Mike Stein wrote:
> Ah, got it; I was asking about switching it from the keyboard as the XR4 
> does, not a physical switch.
> 
> But if you're just talking about a small number of selections then tiny 
> diodes would probably work just as well and not require any power.

I guess you're right, since it's only OR gates and positive logic, those 
could just as well be common cathode pairs of diodes, and they are 
available in a single 6-pin package, and it needs one fewer resistors 
because instead of pulling down the 3 inputs, you pull down the two 
outputs, though that doesn't really save me anything because I'm using a 
single 4-resistor part.

It doesn't save much in absolute terms, like cost or real estate, but it 
still does remove a bit of power and trace routing and trades a fancier 
part for a more common and basic part.

I'll try it.


> m
> 
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 9:52 AM Brian K. White    
>  >> wrote:
> 
> On 2/26/23 08:23, Stephen Adolph wrote:
>  > Brian, If I understand your comment, I don't think you need an IC
> to do
>  > rom selection. I think the DAR uses a rotary encoder.
> 
> I understand that the dar uses a rotary encoder.
> The slide switch needs the extra glue.
> 
> I was responding to Mike's question "how does the bank select work?"
> answer: gratuitous extra parts because I just wanted a slide switch.
> 
> 
>  > When I first saw the DAR, I wondered about that. I'm pretty sure
> I found
>  > the part at Digikey.  Very good!
>  > Steve
>  >
>  > On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 3:51 AM Brian White   
>  >
>  >   
>  >>> wrote:
>  >
>  > Gratuitous use of another chip just for 2 OR gates to implement a
>  > 4:2 encoder. It's all less efficient and less practical than the
>  > dial-a-rom, in that the dar holds 16 roms and doesn't need
> another
>  > ic, and the dar programming connection is even simpler and
> more robust.
>  >
>  > But it just amused me to have a direct selector without manually
>  > binary encoding dip switches because why not? And I didn't
> want it
>  > to require a tool to use either like a screwdriver. And of
> course I
>  > always want an open source option, and I'm not up to the task of
>  > coming up with an open source rex-alike but using a Lattice
> part and
>  > the open source toolchain.
>  >
>  > It's unfortunate timing but I had already started this at least 3
>  > years ago but just never finished it. A non-working version
> has been
>  > sitting in that github since 2019. A few weeks ago I finally
> dusted
>  > it off and corrected my bonehead pinout error, dialled-in the
>  > programming connection so it works well (the holes are slightly
>  > closer together than the pins, and the pattern and amount of
> offset
>  > took some trial & error) and replaced dip switches with the slide
>  > switch & or gates. I had no idea the dar was in the works.
> Not that
>  > it would have stopped me, but I just mean to say this isn't a
> reaction.
>  >
>  > It's no competition anyway because only a very few people
> ever build
>  > these diy-only things. I want them to exist so the option is
> there,
>  > but almost no one actually employs it. So this is not touching
>  > anyone's sales. Besides, *16* roms. And of course really it's
> even
>  > sillier when rex exists which doesn't even need a programmer or
>  > adapter to load it's, what, 30? slots? But for other
> platforms 4 

Re: [M100] - Text Sweet 2.3 Release

[Stephen Adolph]

thanks George.
I loaded it (.BA version, the .DO version won't load clean.

Runs, but the controls are on top of the bottom half of the board.
but I can see it coming together!
cheers and thanks
Steve

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 4:41 PM grima...@gmail.com 
wrote:

> Hi Steve,
>
> https://github.com/Grimakis/TextSweeper/releases/tag/2.5.1-beta.1
>
> I just put together a pre-release of 2.5.1, which I have tested against
> the original DVI hardware and it works now in both 40 col and 80 col mode.
> Feel free to check it out with your DVI Work Alike solution, and let me
> know what you think.
>
> Best,
> George
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 3:10 PM Stephen Adolph 
> wrote:
>
>> [image: ResizerImage574X765.jpg]
>> yes,
>> I have done a lot of work on making an external 80column video solution
>> that is a  "DVI work alike" accessible without actually having a DVI.
>>
>> First you need some driver software on the M100.
>> 1) VT100 driver - found here -->
>> https://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=VT100
>> or
>> 2) via REX#/REXCPM.
>>
>> To actually show video on an external monitor, the driver software treats
>> Screen1 as RS-232 and Screen2 as serial via a hardware hack to the BCR
>> port.   So, an external serial terminal can be used to show the video info.
>>
>> Then you need a solution for serial terminal.
>> There are 2
>> 1)  MVT100 video adapter, based on the Geoff VT100 serial terminal board
>> --> https://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=VT100
>> or
>> 2) the MVT100 windows application found here -->
>> http://club100.org/memfiles/index.php?direction===Steve%20Adolph/MVT100%20for%20PC;
>>
>> Anyhow, I find external video quite nice to have but I never appreciated
>> the DVI much myself.  Had 2, sold them both.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:50 PM grima...@gmail.com 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I see, when you say your DVI software do you mean the software that
>>> emulates the DVI itself?
>>>
>>> Modifying the print statements is definitely doable, and I can add that
>>> to my TODOs.
>>>
>>> However, as someone who uses the DVI, I personally do like the 40 column
>>> mode. Being able to switch between 40 and 80 col on demand is useful in my
>>> opinion. Very similar to how the Apple II works: 40col is just more legible
>>> in a lot of situations.
>>>
>>> -George
>>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:42 PM Stephen Adolph 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 my stuff doesn't support 40 columns.  that's why I was asking!
 To me, 40 column mode on the DVI seems silly, but that's just me.

 Anyways, if you don't want to adapt the print@ statements, I get it.
 thanks anyways.


 On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:40 PM grima...@gmail.com 
 wrote:

> I think the way I would prefer to handle it would be to check the
> initial setting of 40/80 when the program starts, switch the screen to 40,
> and then switch back on exit.
>
> Do you know is there a way to switch to 40 columns mode without
> calling WIDTH? I assume if I use any keywords exclusive to Disk Basic it
> will break compatibility with regular Basic.
>
> Best,
> George
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:17 PM Stephen Adolph 
> wrote:
>
>> George,
>> I think it would be fine to use only 40 columns.
>> just make it tolerate 80 cols wide.
>> (all of my DVI software assumes 80 columns).
>> thoughts?
>> Steve
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:09 PM grima...@gmail.com <
>> grima...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Steve,
>>>
>>> As of right now, it’s supporting only 40col mode.
>>>
>>> Currently, the way I am taking advantage of the DVI and T200 larger
>>> displays are to have the Controls/Help screen displayed below the game
>>> screen (preventing the need to switch between the two)
>>>
>>> As others have mentioned, I could allow for an actual larger
>>> minefield. However, at this time, I don’t have plans for that.
>>>
>>> My primary goals in the short terms are to improve the base game
>>> experience, which in my mind is oriented around the M100, as well as to
>>> ensure that same experience is achieved on the T200 and DVI.
>>>
>>> If I were to support 80-col mode at this time, I would basically
>>> just end up leaving the right hand 40 columns empty.
>>>
>>> The next few things I’m working on:
>>> 1. Reduce size of TSWEEP.BA in memory
>>> 2. Compact some of the array vars I’m using to require less RAM.
>>> 3. Add a few different pre-canned difficulty level aside from the
>>> Standard/Custom I have today.
>>> 4. Increase performance of the screen redrawing routine.
>>> 5. Increase overall performance of the DFS algorithm when revealing
>>> mines.
>>>
>>> Best,
>>> George
>>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 1:56 PM Stephen Adolph 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 George,
 for DVI use, is that intended for 40 columns?
 

Re: [M100] pc-8300 mystery rom - not beckman instrument

[Gary Weber]

You bet.   And it's anyone's guess as to what would be on it, as that was
an XPROM created as a custom set of whatever programs the customer had
wanted.  But I'm willing to bet there wouldn't be anything any of us
doesn't already have access to.

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:34 PM Brian K. White  wrote:

> Very cool. Thank you.
>
> On 2/26/23 16:23, Gary Weber wrote:
> > That, is this: https://www.web8201.net/default.asp?content=xprom.asp
> > 
> >
> > Daniel Cohen is a personal friend of mine, and was a value added
> > reseller for the NEC machines back in the day.
> >
> > Gary
> >
> > On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:09 PM Brian K. White  > > wrote:
> >
> > What is that rom do you suppose?
> >
> > https://www.ebay.com/itm/165950054910
> > 
> >
> > --
> > bkw
> >
>
> --
> bkw
>
>

Re: [M100] - Text Sweet 2.3 Release

[grima...@gmail.com]

Hi Steve,

https://github.com/Grimakis/TextSweeper/releases/tag/2.5.1-beta.1

I just put together a pre-release of 2.5.1, which I have tested against the
original DVI hardware and it works now in both 40 col and 80 col mode. Feel
free to check it out with your DVI Work Alike solution, and let me know
what you think.

Best,
George

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 3:10 PM Stephen Adolph  wrote:

> [image: ResizerImage574X765.jpg]
> yes,
> I have done a lot of work on making an external 80column video solution
> that is a  "DVI work alike" accessible without actually having a DVI.
>
> First you need some driver software on the M100.
> 1) VT100 driver - found here -->
> https://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=VT100
> or
> 2) via REX#/REXCPM.
>
> To actually show video on an external monitor, the driver software treats
> Screen1 as RS-232 and Screen2 as serial via a hardware hack to the BCR
> port.   So, an external serial terminal can be used to show the video info.
>
> Then you need a solution for serial terminal.
> There are 2
> 1)  MVT100 video adapter, based on the Geoff VT100 serial terminal board
> --> https://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=VT100
> or
> 2) the MVT100 windows application found here -->
> http://club100.org/memfiles/index.php?direction===Steve%20Adolph/MVT100%20for%20PC;
>
> Anyhow, I find external video quite nice to have but I never appreciated
> the DVI much myself.  Had 2, sold them both.
>
>
>
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:50 PM grima...@gmail.com 
> wrote:
>
>> I see, when you say your DVI software do you mean the software that
>> emulates the DVI itself?
>>
>> Modifying the print statements is definitely doable, and I can add that
>> to my TODOs.
>>
>> However, as someone who uses the DVI, I personally do like the 40 column
>> mode. Being able to switch between 40 and 80 col on demand is useful in my
>> opinion. Very similar to how the Apple II works: 40col is just more legible
>> in a lot of situations.
>>
>> -George
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:42 PM Stephen Adolph 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> my stuff doesn't support 40 columns.  that's why I was asking!
>>> To me, 40 column mode on the DVI seems silly, but that's just me.
>>>
>>> Anyways, if you don't want to adapt the print@ statements, I get it.
>>> thanks anyways.
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:40 PM grima...@gmail.com 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 I think the way I would prefer to handle it would be to check the
 initial setting of 40/80 when the program starts, switch the screen to 40,
 and then switch back on exit.

 Do you know is there a way to switch to 40 columns mode without calling
 WIDTH? I assume if I use any keywords exclusive to Disk Basic it will break
 compatibility with regular Basic.

 Best,
 George

 On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:17 PM Stephen Adolph 
 wrote:

> George,
> I think it would be fine to use only 40 columns.
> just make it tolerate 80 cols wide.
> (all of my DVI software assumes 80 columns).
> thoughts?
> Steve
>
>
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:09 PM grima...@gmail.com 
> wrote:
>
>> Hi Steve,
>>
>> As of right now, it’s supporting only 40col mode.
>>
>> Currently, the way I am taking advantage of the DVI and T200 larger
>> displays are to have the Controls/Help screen displayed below the game
>> screen (preventing the need to switch between the two)
>>
>> As others have mentioned, I could allow for an actual larger
>> minefield. However, at this time, I don’t have plans for that.
>>
>> My primary goals in the short terms are to improve the base game
>> experience, which in my mind is oriented around the M100, as well as to
>> ensure that same experience is achieved on the T200 and DVI.
>>
>> If I were to support 80-col mode at this time, I would basically just
>> end up leaving the right hand 40 columns empty.
>>
>> The next few things I’m working on:
>> 1. Reduce size of TSWEEP.BA in memory
>> 2. Compact some of the array vars I’m using to require less RAM.
>> 3. Add a few different pre-canned difficulty level aside from the
>> Standard/Custom I have today.
>> 4. Increase performance of the screen redrawing routine.
>> 5. Increase overall performance of the DFS algorithm when revealing
>> mines.
>>
>> Best,
>> George
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 1:56 PM Stephen Adolph 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> George,
>>> for DVI use, is that intended for 40 columns?
>>> Is there a way you could put in a switch to enable 80 column mode?
>>>
>>> thx
>>> steve
>>>
>>> On Sat, Feb 11, 2023 at 8:15 PM grima...@gmail.com <
>>> grima...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
 Hi all,

 As previously mentioned, I have been working on Text Sweeper again.
 I've made a bunch of changed behind the scenes, but the things that 
 will be
 

Re: [M100] pc-8300 mystery rom - not beckman instrument

[Brian K. White]

Very cool. Thank you.

On 2/26/23 16:23, Gary Weber wrote:
That, is this: https://www.web8201.net/default.asp?content=xprom.asp 



Daniel Cohen is a personal friend of mine, and was a value added 
reseller for the NEC machines back in the day.


Gary

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:09 PM Brian K. White > wrote:


What is that rom do you suppose?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/165950054910


-- 
bkw




--
bkw

Re: [M100] pc-8300 mystery rom - not beckman instrument

[Gary Weber]

That, is this:  https://www.web8201.net/default.asp?content=xprom.asp

Daniel Cohen is a personal friend of mine, and was a value added reseller
for the NEC machines back in the day.

Gary

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:09 PM Brian K. White  wrote:

> What is that rom do you suppose?
>
> https://www.ebay.com/itm/165950054910
>
> --
> bkw
>

[M100] pc-8300 mystery rom - not beckman instrument

[Brian K. White]

What is that rom do you suppose?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/165950054910

--
bkw

Re: [M100] Possible BBS launch

[Peter Vollan]

I think we all remember the club 100 BBS. Obviously a Model T or TRS-80 BBS
should go down to 300 baud.

On Sun, 26 Feb 2023 at 11:59, Francesco Messineo <
francesco.messi...@gmail.com> wrote:

> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 6:00 PM Mike Stein  wrote:
> >
> > Most VoiP systems don't play very well with old tone-encoded protocols
> like modems or FAX machines, but if you have a POTS line or can get it to
> work with VoiP then most modems will let you dial out with either TT or
> pulse and also answer incoming calls.
>
> I have very good results with my small "phone network" at home using
> Analog to VOIP adapters and an asterisk server. The trick is to
> disable the echo cancelling option on the ATA port setup and never use
> a too low bandwidth encoding. I've been able to have reliable
> connections up to 9600 bps. Actually it could be even capable of
> higher rates, but I've never
> had any reason to try them so far.
> The last time I've searched, there was only one ATA model that
> supported pulse dial (the old rotary dial encoders), but
> that's not a big problem because I can use a smartphone as the tone
> dial source if I'm using an old phone.
>
> HTH
> Frank IZ8DWF
>

Re: [M100] - Text Sweet 2.3 Release

[Stephen Adolph]

[image: ResizerImage574X765.jpg]
yes,
I have done a lot of work on making an external 80column video solution
that is a  "DVI work alike" accessible without actually having a DVI.

First you need some driver software on the M100.
1) VT100 driver - found here -->
https://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=VT100
or
2) via REX#/REXCPM.

To actually show video on an external monitor, the driver software treats
Screen1 as RS-232 and Screen2 as serial via a hardware hack to the BCR
port.   So, an external serial terminal can be used to show the video info.

Then you need a solution for serial terminal.
There are 2
1)  MVT100 video adapter, based on the Geoff VT100 serial terminal board
--> https://bitchin100.com/wiki/index.php?title=VT100
or
2) the MVT100 windows application found here -->
http://club100.org/memfiles/index.php?direction===Steve%20Adolph/MVT100%20for%20PC;

Anyhow, I find external video quite nice to have but I never appreciated
the DVI much myself.  Had 2, sold them both.




On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:50 PM grima...@gmail.com 
wrote:

> I see, when you say your DVI software do you mean the software that
> emulates the DVI itself?
>
> Modifying the print statements is definitely doable, and I can add that to
> my TODOs.
>
> However, as someone who uses the DVI, I personally do like the 40 column
> mode. Being able to switch between 40 and 80 col on demand is useful in my
> opinion. Very similar to how the Apple II works: 40col is just more legible
> in a lot of situations.
>
> -George
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:42 PM Stephen Adolph 
> wrote:
>
>> my stuff doesn't support 40 columns.  that's why I was asking!
>> To me, 40 column mode on the DVI seems silly, but that's just me.
>>
>> Anyways, if you don't want to adapt the print@ statements, I get it.
>> thanks anyways.
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:40 PM grima...@gmail.com 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I think the way I would prefer to handle it would be to check the
>>> initial setting of 40/80 when the program starts, switch the screen to 40,
>>> and then switch back on exit.
>>>
>>> Do you know is there a way to switch to 40 columns mode without calling
>>> WIDTH? I assume if I use any keywords exclusive to Disk Basic it will break
>>> compatibility with regular Basic.
>>>
>>> Best,
>>> George
>>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:17 PM Stephen Adolph 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 George,
 I think it would be fine to use only 40 columns.
 just make it tolerate 80 cols wide.
 (all of my DVI software assumes 80 columns).
 thoughts?
 Steve



 On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:09 PM grima...@gmail.com 
 wrote:

> Hi Steve,
>
> As of right now, it’s supporting only 40col mode.
>
> Currently, the way I am taking advantage of the DVI and T200 larger
> displays are to have the Controls/Help screen displayed below the game
> screen (preventing the need to switch between the two)
>
> As others have mentioned, I could allow for an actual larger
> minefield. However, at this time, I don’t have plans for that.
>
> My primary goals in the short terms are to improve the base game
> experience, which in my mind is oriented around the M100, as well as to
> ensure that same experience is achieved on the T200 and DVI.
>
> If I were to support 80-col mode at this time, I would basically just
> end up leaving the right hand 40 columns empty.
>
> The next few things I’m working on:
> 1. Reduce size of TSWEEP.BA in memory
> 2. Compact some of the array vars I’m using to require less RAM.
> 3. Add a few different pre-canned difficulty level aside from the
> Standard/Custom I have today.
> 4. Increase performance of the screen redrawing routine.
> 5. Increase overall performance of the DFS algorithm when revealing
> mines.
>
> Best,
> George
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 1:56 PM Stephen Adolph 
> wrote:
>
>> George,
>> for DVI use, is that intended for 40 columns?
>> Is there a way you could put in a switch to enable 80 column mode?
>>
>> thx
>> steve
>>
>> On Sat, Feb 11, 2023 at 8:15 PM grima...@gmail.com <
>> grima...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> As previously mentioned, I have been working on Text Sweeper again.
>>> I've made a bunch of changed behind the scenes, but the things that 
>>> will be
>>> noticeable to you:
>>>
>>>
>>>- Slight graphical changes.
>>>- Better mine generation for denser minefield.
>>>- Controls can be seen by pressing H
>>>- WASD is supported as an alternative to the arrow keys.
>>>- You cannot accidentally click a flagged cell.
>>>- If you click a cell with a Number. If the flags surrounding
>>>that cell equal the number, it will open the non flagged cells (Be 
>>> careful
>>>:D )
>>>- If you accidentally press LABEL, the screen will 

Re: [M100] Possible BBS launch

[Francesco Messineo]

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 6:00 PM Mike Stein  wrote:
>
> Most VoiP systems don't play very well with old tone-encoded protocols like 
> modems or FAX machines, but if you have a POTS line or can get it to work 
> with VoiP then most modems will let you dial out with either TT or pulse and 
> also answer incoming calls.

I have very good results with my small "phone network" at home using
Analog to VOIP adapters and an asterisk server. The trick is to
disable the echo cancelling option on the ATA port setup and never use
a too low bandwidth encoding. I've been able to have reliable
connections up to 9600 bps. Actually it could be even capable of
higher rates, but I've never
had any reason to try them so far.
The last time I've searched, there was only one ATA model that
supported pulse dial (the old rotary dial encoders), but
that's not a big problem because I can use a smartphone as the tone
dial source if I'm using an old phone.

HTH
Frank IZ8DWF

Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

[Gary Weber]

Hi Jeff.  That's a fancy little unit! Great functionality for such an
inexpensive device.

One quick note about your TS-DOS uninstall portion:  In the TS-DOS screen,
the key label on F5 shows the actual current state, not what pressing the
key would change it to. When you see "DOS-OFF", it means the DOS is
unhooked.  Pressing it so that it changes to DOS-ON actually means you've
just hooked it into memory.  You can verify the truth of my statement by
having it show the "DOS-ON" status, and then drop into BASIC and type
LFILES when you have a Backpack hooked up.

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 12:03 PM Brian K. White 
wrote:

> On 2/26/23 12:16, Mike Stein wrote:
> > Ah, got it; I was asking about switching it from the keyboard as the XR4
> > does, not a physical switch.
> >
> > But if you're just talking about a small number of selections then tiny
> > diodes would probably work just as well and not require any power.
>
> I guess you're right, since it's only OR gates and positive logic, those
> could just as well be common cathode pairs of diodes, and they are
> available in a single 6-pin package, and it needs one fewer resistors
> because instead of pulling down the 3 inputs, you pull down the two
> outputs, though that doesn't really save me anything because I'm using a
> single 4-resistor part.
>
> It doesn't save much in absolute terms, like cost or real estate, but it
> still does remove a bit of power and trace routing and trades a fancier
> part for a more common and basic part.
>
> I'll try it.
>
>
> > m
> >
> > On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 9:52 AM Brian K. White  > > wrote:
> >
> > On 2/26/23 08:23, Stephen Adolph wrote:
> >  > Brian, If I understand your comment, I don't think you need an IC
> > to do
> >  > rom selection. I think the DAR uses a rotary encoder.
> >
> > I understand that the dar uses a rotary encoder.
> > The slide switch needs the extra glue.
> >
> > I was responding to Mike's question "how does the bank select work?"
> > answer: gratuitous extra parts because I just wanted a slide switch.
> >
> >
> >  > When I first saw the DAR, I wondered about that. I'm pretty sure
> > I found
> >  > the part at Digikey.  Very good!
> >  > Steve
> >  >
> >  > On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 3:51 AM Brian White  > 
> >  > >>
> wrote:
> >  >
> >  > Gratuitous use of another chip just for 2 OR gates to
> implement a
> >  > 4:2 encoder. It's all less efficient and less practical than
> the
> >  > dial-a-rom, in that the dar holds 16 roms and doesn't need
> > another
> >  > ic, and the dar programming connection is even simpler and
> > more robust.
> >  >
> >  > But it just amused me to have a direct selector without
> manually
> >  > binary encoding dip switches because why not? And I didn't
> > want it
> >  > to require a tool to use either like a screwdriver. And of
> > course I
> >  > always want an open source option, and I'm not up to the task
> of
> >  > coming up with an open source rex-alike but using a Lattice
> > part and
> >  > the open source toolchain.
> >  >
> >  > It's unfortunate timing but I had already started this at
> least 3
> >  > years ago but just never finished it. A non-working version
> > has been
> >  > sitting in that github since 2019. A few weeks ago I finally
> > dusted
> >  > it off and corrected my bonehead pinout error, dialled-in the
> >  > programming connection so it works well (the holes are
> slightly
> >  > closer together than the pins, and the pattern and amount of
> > offset
> >  > took some trial & error) and replaced dip switches with the
> slide
> >  > switch & or gates. I had no idea the dar was in the works.
> > Not that
> >  > it would have stopped me, but I just mean to say this isn't a
> > reaction.
> >  >
> >  > It's no competition anyway because only a very few people
> > ever build
> >  > these diy-only things. I want them to exist so the option is
> > there,
> >  > but almost no one actually employs it. So this is not touching
> >  > anyone's sales. Besides, *16* roms. And of course really it's
> > even
> >  > sillier when rex exists which doesn't even need a programmer
> or
> >  > adapter to load it's, what, 30? slots? But for other
> > platforms 4 is
> >  > plenty. There's only 2 roms total for the 600 for example.
> Still
> >  > leaves 2 free slots for hacking.
> >  >
> >  > I just added the browser-friendly render of the schematic to
> the
> >  > readme so you can see the bank-select.
> >  >
> >  > --
> >  > bkw
> >  >
> >  > On Sat, Feb 25, 

Re: [M100] - Text Sweet 2.3 Release

[grima...@gmail.com]

I see, when you say your DVI software do you mean the software that
emulates the DVI itself?

Modifying the print statements is definitely doable, and I can add that to
my TODOs.

However, as someone who uses the DVI, I personally do like the 40 column
mode. Being able to switch between 40 and 80 col on demand is useful in my
opinion. Very similar to how the Apple II works: 40col is just more legible
in a lot of situations.

-George

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:42 PM Stephen Adolph  wrote:

> my stuff doesn't support 40 columns.  that's why I was asking!
> To me, 40 column mode on the DVI seems silly, but that's just me.
>
> Anyways, if you don't want to adapt the print@ statements, I get it.
> thanks anyways.
>
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:40 PM grima...@gmail.com 
> wrote:
>
>> I think the way I would prefer to handle it would be to check the initial
>> setting of 40/80 when the program starts, switch the screen to 40, and then
>> switch back on exit.
>>
>> Do you know is there a way to switch to 40 columns mode without calling
>> WIDTH? I assume if I use any keywords exclusive to Disk Basic it will break
>> compatibility with regular Basic.
>>
>> Best,
>> George
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:17 PM Stephen Adolph 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> George,
>>> I think it would be fine to use only 40 columns.
>>> just make it tolerate 80 cols wide.
>>> (all of my DVI software assumes 80 columns).
>>> thoughts?
>>> Steve
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:09 PM grima...@gmail.com 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 Hi Steve,

 As of right now, it’s supporting only 40col mode.

 Currently, the way I am taking advantage of the DVI and T200 larger
 displays are to have the Controls/Help screen displayed below the game
 screen (preventing the need to switch between the two)

 As others have mentioned, I could allow for an actual larger minefield.
 However, at this time, I don’t have plans for that.

 My primary goals in the short terms are to improve the base game
 experience, which in my mind is oriented around the M100, as well as to
 ensure that same experience is achieved on the T200 and DVI.

 If I were to support 80-col mode at this time, I would basically just
 end up leaving the right hand 40 columns empty.

 The next few things I’m working on:
 1. Reduce size of TSWEEP.BA in memory
 2. Compact some of the array vars I’m using to require less RAM.
 3. Add a few different pre-canned difficulty level aside from the
 Standard/Custom I have today.
 4. Increase performance of the screen redrawing routine.
 5. Increase overall performance of the DFS algorithm when revealing
 mines.

 Best,
 George

 On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 1:56 PM Stephen Adolph 
 wrote:

> George,
> for DVI use, is that intended for 40 columns?
> Is there a way you could put in a switch to enable 80 column mode?
>
> thx
> steve
>
> On Sat, Feb 11, 2023 at 8:15 PM grima...@gmail.com 
> wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> As previously mentioned, I have been working on Text Sweeper again.
>> I've made a bunch of changed behind the scenes, but the things that will 
>> be
>> noticeable to you:
>>
>>
>>- Slight graphical changes.
>>- Better mine generation for denser minefield.
>>- Controls can be seen by pressing H
>>- WASD is supported as an alternative to the arrow keys.
>>- You cannot accidentally click a flagged cell.
>>- If you click a cell with a Number. If the flags surrounding
>>that cell equal the number, it will open the non flagged cells (Be 
>> careful
>>:D )
>>- If you accidentally press LABEL, the screen will fix itself
>>
>> Everything is on github.
>> https://github.com/Grimakis/TextSweeper
>>
>> There are probably still a ton of bugs I didn't find, so let me know
>> if you find any.
>>
>> Enjoy,
>> George
>>
>

Re: [M100] - Text Sweet 2.3 Release

[Stephen Adolph]

Textsweeper was going to be my fun to use test case to make sure my DVI
emulator code for windows was working well.

Since the only drivers that send video data over serial are my own 2
programs (1 = VT100 driver for M100 or 2 = REX#/REXCPM) and since those
adaptations of the Disk Video Interface driver code ignores the 40 column
mode, there is no matching need on the "terminal" end of the serial link to
support 40 column mode either.

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:42 PM Stephen Adolph  wrote:

> my stuff doesn't support 40 columns.  that's why I was asking!
> To me, 40 column mode on the DVI seems silly, but that's just me.
>
> Anyways, if you don't want to adapt the print@ statements, I get it.
> thanks anyways.
>
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:40 PM grima...@gmail.com 
> wrote:
>
>> I think the way I would prefer to handle it would be to check the initial
>> setting of 40/80 when the program starts, switch the screen to 40, and then
>> switch back on exit.
>>
>> Do you know is there a way to switch to 40 columns mode without calling
>> WIDTH? I assume if I use any keywords exclusive to Disk Basic it will break
>> compatibility with regular Basic.
>>
>> Best,
>> George
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:17 PM Stephen Adolph 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> George,
>>> I think it would be fine to use only 40 columns.
>>> just make it tolerate 80 cols wide.
>>> (all of my DVI software assumes 80 columns).
>>> thoughts?
>>> Steve
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:09 PM grima...@gmail.com 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 Hi Steve,

 As of right now, it’s supporting only 40col mode.

 Currently, the way I am taking advantage of the DVI and T200 larger
 displays are to have the Controls/Help screen displayed below the game
 screen (preventing the need to switch between the two)

 As others have mentioned, I could allow for an actual larger minefield.
 However, at this time, I don’t have plans for that.

 My primary goals in the short terms are to improve the base game
 experience, which in my mind is oriented around the M100, as well as to
 ensure that same experience is achieved on the T200 and DVI.

 If I were to support 80-col mode at this time, I would basically just
 end up leaving the right hand 40 columns empty.

 The next few things I’m working on:
 1. Reduce size of TSWEEP.BA in memory
 2. Compact some of the array vars I’m using to require less RAM.
 3. Add a few different pre-canned difficulty level aside from the
 Standard/Custom I have today.
 4. Increase performance of the screen redrawing routine.
 5. Increase overall performance of the DFS algorithm when revealing
 mines.

 Best,
 George

 On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 1:56 PM Stephen Adolph 
 wrote:

> George,
> for DVI use, is that intended for 40 columns?
> Is there a way you could put in a switch to enable 80 column mode?
>
> thx
> steve
>
> On Sat, Feb 11, 2023 at 8:15 PM grima...@gmail.com 
> wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> As previously mentioned, I have been working on Text Sweeper again.
>> I've made a bunch of changed behind the scenes, but the things that will 
>> be
>> noticeable to you:
>>
>>
>>- Slight graphical changes.
>>- Better mine generation for denser minefield.
>>- Controls can be seen by pressing H
>>- WASD is supported as an alternative to the arrow keys.
>>- You cannot accidentally click a flagged cell.
>>- If you click a cell with a Number. If the flags surrounding
>>that cell equal the number, it will open the non flagged cells (Be 
>> careful
>>:D )
>>- If you accidentally press LABEL, the screen will fix itself
>>
>> Everything is on github.
>> https://github.com/Grimakis/TextSweeper
>>
>> There are probably still a ton of bugs I didn't find, so let me know
>> if you find any.
>>
>> Enjoy,
>> George
>>
>

Re: [M100] - Text Sweet 2.3 Release

[Stephen Adolph]

my stuff doesn't support 40 columns.  that's why I was asking!
To me, 40 column mode on the DVI seems silly, but that's just me.

Anyways, if you don't want to adapt the print@ statements, I get it.
thanks anyways.


On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:40 PM grima...@gmail.com 
wrote:

> I think the way I would prefer to handle it would be to check the initial
> setting of 40/80 when the program starts, switch the screen to 40, and then
> switch back on exit.
>
> Do you know is there a way to switch to 40 columns mode without calling
> WIDTH? I assume if I use any keywords exclusive to Disk Basic it will break
> compatibility with regular Basic.
>
> Best,
> George
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:17 PM Stephen Adolph 
> wrote:
>
>> George,
>> I think it would be fine to use only 40 columns.
>> just make it tolerate 80 cols wide.
>> (all of my DVI software assumes 80 columns).
>> thoughts?
>> Steve
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:09 PM grima...@gmail.com 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Steve,
>>>
>>> As of right now, it’s supporting only 40col mode.
>>>
>>> Currently, the way I am taking advantage of the DVI and T200 larger
>>> displays are to have the Controls/Help screen displayed below the game
>>> screen (preventing the need to switch between the two)
>>>
>>> As others have mentioned, I could allow for an actual larger minefield.
>>> However, at this time, I don’t have plans for that.
>>>
>>> My primary goals in the short terms are to improve the base game
>>> experience, which in my mind is oriented around the M100, as well as to
>>> ensure that same experience is achieved on the T200 and DVI.
>>>
>>> If I were to support 80-col mode at this time, I would basically just
>>> end up leaving the right hand 40 columns empty.
>>>
>>> The next few things I’m working on:
>>> 1. Reduce size of TSWEEP.BA in memory
>>> 2. Compact some of the array vars I’m using to require less RAM.
>>> 3. Add a few different pre-canned difficulty level aside from the
>>> Standard/Custom I have today.
>>> 4. Increase performance of the screen redrawing routine.
>>> 5. Increase overall performance of the DFS algorithm when revealing
>>> mines.
>>>
>>> Best,
>>> George
>>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 1:56 PM Stephen Adolph 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 George,
 for DVI use, is that intended for 40 columns?
 Is there a way you could put in a switch to enable 80 column mode?

 thx
 steve

 On Sat, Feb 11, 2023 at 8:15 PM grima...@gmail.com 
 wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> As previously mentioned, I have been working on Text Sweeper again.
> I've made a bunch of changed behind the scenes, but the things that will 
> be
> noticeable to you:
>
>
>- Slight graphical changes.
>- Better mine generation for denser minefield.
>- Controls can be seen by pressing H
>- WASD is supported as an alternative to the arrow keys.
>- You cannot accidentally click a flagged cell.
>- If you click a cell with a Number. If the flags surrounding that
>cell equal the number, it will open the non flagged cells (Be careful 
> :D )
>- If you accidentally press LABEL, the screen will fix itself
>
> Everything is on github.
> https://github.com/Grimakis/TextSweeper
>
> There are probably still a ton of bugs I didn't find, so let me know
> if you find any.
>
> Enjoy,
> George
>

Re: [M100] - Text Sweet 2.3 Release

[grima...@gmail.com]

I think the way I would prefer to handle it would be to check the initial
setting of 40/80 when the program starts, switch the screen to 40, and then
switch back on exit.

Do you know is there a way to switch to 40 columns mode without calling
WIDTH? I assume if I use any keywords exclusive to Disk Basic it will break
compatibility with regular Basic.

Best,
George

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:17 PM Stephen Adolph  wrote:

> George,
> I think it would be fine to use only 40 columns.
> just make it tolerate 80 cols wide.
> (all of my DVI software assumes 80 columns).
> thoughts?
> Steve
>
>
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:09 PM grima...@gmail.com 
> wrote:
>
>> Hi Steve,
>>
>> As of right now, it’s supporting only 40col mode.
>>
>> Currently, the way I am taking advantage of the DVI and T200 larger
>> displays are to have the Controls/Help screen displayed below the game
>> screen (preventing the need to switch between the two)
>>
>> As others have mentioned, I could allow for an actual larger minefield.
>> However, at this time, I don’t have plans for that.
>>
>> My primary goals in the short terms are to improve the base game
>> experience, which in my mind is oriented around the M100, as well as to
>> ensure that same experience is achieved on the T200 and DVI.
>>
>> If I were to support 80-col mode at this time, I would basically just end
>> up leaving the right hand 40 columns empty.
>>
>> The next few things I’m working on:
>> 1. Reduce size of TSWEEP.BA in memory
>> 2. Compact some of the array vars I’m using to require less RAM.
>> 3. Add a few different pre-canned difficulty level aside from the
>> Standard/Custom I have today.
>> 4. Increase performance of the screen redrawing routine.
>> 5. Increase overall performance of the DFS algorithm when revealing mines.
>>
>> Best,
>> George
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 1:56 PM Stephen Adolph 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> George,
>>> for DVI use, is that intended for 40 columns?
>>> Is there a way you could put in a switch to enable 80 column mode?
>>>
>>> thx
>>> steve
>>>
>>> On Sat, Feb 11, 2023 at 8:15 PM grima...@gmail.com 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 Hi all,

 As previously mentioned, I have been working on Text Sweeper again.
 I've made a bunch of changed behind the scenes, but the things that will be
 noticeable to you:


- Slight graphical changes.
- Better mine generation for denser minefield.
- Controls can be seen by pressing H
- WASD is supported as an alternative to the arrow keys.
- You cannot accidentally click a flagged cell.
- If you click a cell with a Number. If the flags surrounding that
cell equal the number, it will open the non flagged cells (Be careful 
 :D )
- If you accidentally press LABEL, the screen will fix itself

 Everything is on github.
 https://github.com/Grimakis/TextSweeper

 There are probably still a ton of bugs I didn't find, so let me know if
 you find any.

 Enjoy,
 George

>>>

Re: [M100] - Text Sweet 2.3 Release

[Stephen Adolph]

George,
I think it would be fine to use only 40 columns.
just make it tolerate 80 cols wide.
(all of my DVI software assumes 80 columns).
thoughts?
Steve



On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 2:09 PM grima...@gmail.com 
wrote:

> Hi Steve,
>
> As of right now, it’s supporting only 40col mode.
>
> Currently, the way I am taking advantage of the DVI and T200 larger
> displays are to have the Controls/Help screen displayed below the game
> screen (preventing the need to switch between the two)
>
> As others have mentioned, I could allow for an actual larger minefield.
> However, at this time, I don’t have plans for that.
>
> My primary goals in the short terms are to improve the base game
> experience, which in my mind is oriented around the M100, as well as to
> ensure that same experience is achieved on the T200 and DVI.
>
> If I were to support 80-col mode at this time, I would basically just end
> up leaving the right hand 40 columns empty.
>
> The next few things I’m working on:
> 1. Reduce size of TSWEEP.BA in memory
> 2. Compact some of the array vars I’m using to require less RAM.
> 3. Add a few different pre-canned difficulty level aside from the
> Standard/Custom I have today.
> 4. Increase performance of the screen redrawing routine.
> 5. Increase overall performance of the DFS algorithm when revealing mines.
>
> Best,
> George
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 1:56 PM Stephen Adolph 
> wrote:
>
>> George,
>> for DVI use, is that intended for 40 columns?
>> Is there a way you could put in a switch to enable 80 column mode?
>>
>> thx
>> steve
>>
>> On Sat, Feb 11, 2023 at 8:15 PM grima...@gmail.com 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> As previously mentioned, I have been working on Text Sweeper again. I've
>>> made a bunch of changed behind the scenes, but the things that will be
>>> noticeable to you:
>>>
>>>
>>>- Slight graphical changes.
>>>- Better mine generation for denser minefield.
>>>- Controls can be seen by pressing H
>>>- WASD is supported as an alternative to the arrow keys.
>>>- You cannot accidentally click a flagged cell.
>>>- If you click a cell with a Number. If the flags surrounding that
>>>cell equal the number, it will open the non flagged cells (Be careful :D 
>>> )
>>>- If you accidentally press LABEL, the screen will fix itself
>>>
>>> Everything is on github.
>>> https://github.com/Grimakis/TextSweeper
>>>
>>> There are probably still a ton of bugs I didn't find, so let me know if
>>> you find any.
>>>
>>> Enjoy,
>>> George
>>>
>>

Re: [M100] - Text Sweet 2.3 Release

[grima...@gmail.com]

Hi Steve,

As of right now, it’s supporting only 40col mode.

Currently, the way I am taking advantage of the DVI and T200 larger
displays are to have the Controls/Help screen displayed below the game
screen (preventing the need to switch between the two)

As others have mentioned, I could allow for an actual larger minefield.
However, at this time, I don’t have plans for that.

My primary goals in the short terms are to improve the base game
experience, which in my mind is oriented around the M100, as well as to
ensure that same experience is achieved on the T200 and DVI.

If I were to support 80-col mode at this time, I would basically just end
up leaving the right hand 40 columns empty.

The next few things I’m working on:
1. Reduce size of TSWEEP.BA in memory
2. Compact some of the array vars I’m using to require less RAM.
3. Add a few different pre-canned difficulty level aside from the
Standard/Custom I have today.
4. Increase performance of the screen redrawing routine.
5. Increase overall performance of the DFS algorithm when revealing mines.

Best,
George

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 1:56 PM Stephen Adolph  wrote:

> George,
> for DVI use, is that intended for 40 columns?
> Is there a way you could put in a switch to enable 80 column mode?
>
> thx
> steve
>
> On Sat, Feb 11, 2023 at 8:15 PM grima...@gmail.com 
> wrote:
>
>> Hi all,
>>
>> As previously mentioned, I have been working on Text Sweeper again. I've
>> made a bunch of changed behind the scenes, but the things that will be
>> noticeable to you:
>>
>>
>>- Slight graphical changes.
>>- Better mine generation for denser minefield.
>>- Controls can be seen by pressing H
>>- WASD is supported as an alternative to the arrow keys.
>>- You cannot accidentally click a flagged cell.
>>- If you click a cell with a Number. If the flags surrounding that
>>cell equal the number, it will open the non flagged cells (Be careful :D )
>>- If you accidentally press LABEL, the screen will fix itself
>>
>> Everything is on github.
>> https://github.com/Grimakis/TextSweeper
>>
>> There are probably still a ton of bugs I didn't find, so let me know if
>> you find any.
>>
>> Enjoy,
>> George
>>
>

Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

[Brian K. White]

On 2/26/23 12:16, Mike Stein wrote:
Ah, got it; I was asking about switching it from the keyboard as the XR4 
does, not a physical switch.


But if you're just talking about a small number of selections then tiny 
diodes would probably work just as well and not require any power.


I guess you're right, since it's only OR gates and positive logic, those 
could just as well be common cathode pairs of diodes, and they are 
available in a single 6-pin package, and it needs one fewer resistors 
because instead of pulling down the 3 inputs, you pull down the two 
outputs, though that doesn't really save me anything because I'm using a 
single 4-resistor part.


It doesn't save much in absolute terms, like cost or real estate, but it 
still does remove a bit of power and trace routing and trades a fancier 
part for a more common and basic part.


I'll try it.



m

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 9:52 AM Brian K. White > wrote:


On 2/26/23 08:23, Stephen Adolph wrote:
 > Brian, If I understand your comment, I don't think you need an IC
to do
 > rom selection. I think the DAR uses a rotary encoder.

I understand that the dar uses a rotary encoder.
The slide switch needs the extra glue.

I was responding to Mike's question "how does the bank select work?"
answer: gratuitous extra parts because I just wanted a slide switch.


 > When I first saw the DAR, I wondered about that. I'm pretty sure
I found
 > the part at Digikey.  Very good!
 > Steve
 >
 > On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 3:51 AM Brian White mailto:b.kenyo...@gmail.com>
 > >> wrote:
 >
 >     Gratuitous use of another chip just for 2 OR gates to implement a
 >     4:2 encoder. It's all less efficient and less practical than the
 >     dial-a-rom, in that the dar holds 16 roms and doesn't need
another
 >     ic, and the dar programming connection is even simpler and
more robust.
 >
 >     But it just amused me to have a direct selector without manually
 >     binary encoding dip switches because why not? And I didn't
want it
 >     to require a tool to use either like a screwdriver. And of
course I
 >     always want an open source option, and I'm not up to the task of
 >     coming up with an open source rex-alike but using a Lattice
part and
 >     the open source toolchain.
 >
 >     It's unfortunate timing but I had already started this at least 3
 >     years ago but just never finished it. A non-working version
has been
 >     sitting in that github since 2019. A few weeks ago I finally
dusted
 >     it off and corrected my bonehead pinout error, dialled-in the
 >     programming connection so it works well (the holes are slightly
 >     closer together than the pins, and the pattern and amount of
offset
 >     took some trial & error) and replaced dip switches with the slide
 >     switch & or gates. I had no idea the dar was in the works.
Not that
 >     it would have stopped me, but I just mean to say this isn't a
reaction.
 >
 >     It's no competition anyway because only a very few people
ever build
 >     these diy-only things. I want them to exist so the option is
there,
 >     but almost no one actually employs it. So this is not touching
 >     anyone's sales. Besides, *16* roms. And of course really it's
even
 >     sillier when rex exists which doesn't even need a programmer or
 >     adapter to load it's, what, 30? slots? But for other
platforms 4 is
 >     plenty. There's only 2 roms total for the 600 for example. Still
 >     leaves 2 free slots for hacking.
 >
 >     I just added the browser-friendly render of the schematic to the
 >     readme so you can see the bank-select.
 >
 >     --
 >     bkw
 >
 >     On Sat, Feb 25, 2023, 8:18 PM Mike Stein mailto:mhs.st...@gmail.com>
 >     >> wrote:
 >
 >         How do you select among the 4 images?
 >
 >         On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 6:50 PM Brian K. White
 >         mailto:b.kenyo...@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
 >
 >             On 2/25/23 10:31, bir...@soigeneris.com

 >             > wrote:
 >              > Morning all,
 >              >
 >              > I just made this video live this AM. The DARs for the
 >             Model T computers
 >              > have sold out already but my friend is making more.
 >              >
 >              > In this video we take a look at the ‘Dial-A-ROM’ a
spiffy
 >             new multi-ROM
 >              > for vintage 

Re: [M100] - Text Sweet 2.3 Release

[Stephen Adolph]

George,
for DVI use, is that intended for 40 columns?
Is there a way you could put in a switch to enable 80 column mode?

thx
steve

On Sat, Feb 11, 2023 at 8:15 PM grima...@gmail.com 
wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> As previously mentioned, I have been working on Text Sweeper again. I've
> made a bunch of changed behind the scenes, but the things that will be
> noticeable to you:
>
>
>- Slight graphical changes.
>- Better mine generation for denser minefield.
>- Controls can be seen by pressing H
>- WASD is supported as an alternative to the arrow keys.
>- You cannot accidentally click a flagged cell.
>- If you click a cell with a Number. If the flags surrounding that
>cell equal the number, it will open the non flagged cells (Be careful :D )
>- If you accidentally press LABEL, the screen will fix itself
>
> Everything is on github.
> https://github.com/Grimakis/TextSweeper
>
> There are probably still a ton of bugs I didn't find, so let me know if
> you find any.
>
> Enjoy,
> George
>

Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

[Stephen Adolph]

Mike,
XR4 did not have any "protect the user from switching an installed ROM"
functionality.
It just hard-switched.  You can see that when you disassemble the utilities.
I think it had a couple of flip flops on the flex-board that wrapped the
RAM chip.
But I can't say for sure.  I don't have an XR4.  I do have an XR1. aka
EXTRAM.
Steve



On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 12:22 PM Mike Stein  wrote:

> Jeff,
>
> Is there a way to reserve a DaR or BP for whenever they become available
> again?
>
> Also if/when I order one of each will the shipping be combined?
>
> TIA,
>
> m
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:32 AM  wrote:
>
>> I’ll be doing a video on it eventually. It is quite a complex little
>> beasty, need to take some time and really learn how to use it.
>>
>>
>>
>> Jeff Birt
>>
>>
>>
>> *From:* M100  *On Behalf Of *Daniel L
>> *Sent:* Sunday, February 26, 2023 3:44 AM
>> *To:* m100@lists.bitchin100.com
>> *Subject:* Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and
>> others)
>>
>>
>>
>> Good video Jeff. Anyone have a demo for that weather tracker? Looks DOPE
>>
>> On 2/25/23 07:31, bir...@soigeneris.com wrote:
>>
>> Morning all,
>>
>> I just made this video live this AM. The DARs for the Model T computers
>> have sold out already but my friend is making more.
>>
>> In this video we take a look at the ‘Dial-A-ROM’ a spiffy new multi-ROM
>> for vintage portable computers. It was designed by the same guy who did the
>> Backpack drive. First, we’ll learn how to use the Dial-A-ROM with the ROM
>> images that come preinstalled on it. Then we’ll see how to add our own ROM
>> images if we so desire.
>>
>>
>>
>> *https://youtu.be/CejyLsI0HIw Jeff Birt
>> (Hey Birt!)*
>>
>>
>>
>

Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

[birt_j]

All,

 

I have endeavored to keep the BPD+ ‘in stock’ since it was announced. They take 
a fair bit of time to build even though we had the surface mount parts done by 
the PCB manufacturer. 

 

The shopping cart software does have an ‘email when back in stock’ option but 
sadly this does not work for a product which has multiple options. If something 
is out of stock email me directly and I will let you know then they are 
available again. I’m happy to do that. 

 

We were not sure at first how many folks would be interested in the Dial-A-ROM 
but have sold out of a few versions since the video came out. We are building 
more. 

Keep in mind we are a couple of fellow hobbyists building things for other 
hobbyists and trying to sell them at fair prices. All of these sorts of things 
are built in small quantities. I know it is frustrating when something is out 
of stock but we can only do the best we can.

 

BTW, I finished up 3 more BDP+ and just added them to inventory. I will be 
adding more all week as they get finished.

 

Jeff Birt

 

From: M100  On Behalf Of Mike Stein
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2023 11:20 AM
To: m...@bitchin100.com
Subject: Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

 

Jeff,

 

Is there a way to reserve a DaR or BP for whenever they become available again?

 

Also if/when I order one of each will the shipping be combined?

 

TIA,

 

m

 

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:32 AM mailto:bir...@soigeneris.com> > wrote:

I’ll be doing a video on it eventually. It is quite a complex little beasty, 
need to take some time and really learn how to use it.

 

Jeff Birt

 

From: M100 mailto:m100-boun...@lists.bitchin100.com> > On Behalf Of Daniel L
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2023 3:44 AM
To: m100@lists.bitchin100.com  
Subject: Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

 

Re: [M100] M100 LCD repair video and alternative use for unused screen RAM

[MikeS]

Looks gorgeous!

  - Original Message - 
  From: Philip Avery 
  To: m...@bitchin100.com 
  Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2023 3:35 PM
  Subject: Re: [M100] M100 LCD repair video and alternative use for unused 
screen RAM


  Correct Mike, a 1950 Land Rover. This one:



  Philip


  On 26/02/2023 8:07 am, MikeS wrote:

 
Knowing Philip, more likely a Land Rover or a Jeep ;-)

  - Original Message - 
  From: B 9 
  To: m...@bitchin100.com 
  Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2023 4:01 AM
  Subject: Re: [M100] M100 LCD repair video and alternative use for unused 
screen RAM




  On Fri, Feb 24, 2023 at 1:21 PM Philip Avery  wrote:

My excuse is I was commissioned to 
do a vintage vehicle restoration which has soaked up all my spare time 
for the last 2-years. 


  Vintage vehicles are fun, too. This wouldn't happen to have been a Model 
T, would it?



The good news is I'm almost complete & I expect 
within a few months to get my vintage computing time back & be able to 
resolve any M100 CP/M issues & add new features...


  Yay! 



  —b9

Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

[Mike Stein]

Jeff,

Is there a way to reserve a DaR or BP for whenever they become available
again?

Also if/when I order one of each will the shipping be combined?

TIA,

m

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:32 AM  wrote:

> I’ll be doing a video on it eventually. It is quite a complex little
> beasty, need to take some time and really learn how to use it.
>
>
>
> Jeff Birt
>
>
>
> *From:* M100  *On Behalf Of *Daniel L
> *Sent:* Sunday, February 26, 2023 3:44 AM
> *To:* m100@lists.bitchin100.com
> *Subject:* Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and
> others)
>
>
>
> Good video Jeff. Anyone have a demo for that weather tracker? Looks DOPE
>
> On 2/25/23 07:31, bir...@soigeneris.com wrote:
>
> Morning all,
>
> I just made this video live this AM. The DARs for the Model T computers
> have sold out already but my friend is making more.
>
> In this video we take a look at the ‘Dial-A-ROM’ a spiffy new multi-ROM
> for vintage portable computers. It was designed by the same guy who did the
> Backpack drive. First, we’ll learn how to use the Dial-A-ROM with the ROM
> images that come preinstalled on it. Then we’ll see how to add our own ROM
> images if we so desire.
>
>
>
> *https://youtu.be/CejyLsI0HIw Jeff Birt (Hey
> Birt!)*
>
>
>

Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

[Mike Stein]

Ah, got it; I was asking about switching it from the keyboard as the XR4
does, not a physical switch.

But if you're just talking about a small number of selections then tiny
diodes would probably work just as well and not require any power.

m

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 9:52 AM Brian K. White  wrote:

> On 2/26/23 08:23, Stephen Adolph wrote:
> > Brian, If I understand your comment, I don't think you need an IC to do
> > rom selection. I think the DAR uses a rotary encoder.
>
> I understand that the dar uses a rotary encoder.
> The slide switch needs the extra glue.
>
> I was responding to Mike's question "how does the bank select work?"
> answer: gratuitous extra parts because I just wanted a slide switch.
>
>
> > When I first saw the DAR, I wondered about that. I'm pretty sure I found
> > the part at Digikey.  Very good!
> > Steve
> >
> > On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 3:51 AM Brian White  > > wrote:
> >
> > Gratuitous use of another chip just for 2 OR gates to implement a
> > 4:2 encoder. It's all less efficient and less practical than the
> > dial-a-rom, in that the dar holds 16 roms and doesn't need another
> > ic, and the dar programming connection is even simpler and more
> robust.
> >
> > But it just amused me to have a direct selector without manually
> > binary encoding dip switches because why not? And I didn't want it
> > to require a tool to use either like a screwdriver. And of course I
> > always want an open source option, and I'm not up to the task of
> > coming up with an open source rex-alike but using a Lattice part and
> > the open source toolchain.
> >
> > It's unfortunate timing but I had already started this at least 3
> > years ago but just never finished it. A non-working version has been
> > sitting in that github since 2019. A few weeks ago I finally dusted
> > it off and corrected my bonehead pinout error, dialled-in the
> > programming connection so it works well (the holes are slightly
> > closer together than the pins, and the pattern and amount of offset
> > took some trial & error) and replaced dip switches with the slide
> > switch & or gates. I had no idea the dar was in the works. Not that
> > it would have stopped me, but I just mean to say this isn't a
> reaction.
> >
> > It's no competition anyway because only a very few people ever build
> > these diy-only things. I want them to exist so the option is there,
> > but almost no one actually employs it. So this is not touching
> > anyone's sales. Besides, *16* roms. And of course really it's even
> > sillier when rex exists which doesn't even need a programmer or
> > adapter to load it's, what, 30? slots? But for other platforms 4 is
> > plenty. There's only 2 roms total for the 600 for example. Still
> > leaves 2 free slots for hacking.
> >
> > I just added the browser-friendly render of the schematic to the
> > readme so you can see the bank-select.
> >
> > --
> > bkw
> >
> > On Sat, Feb 25, 2023, 8:18 PM Mike Stein  > > wrote:
> >
> > How do you select among the 4 images?
> >
> > On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 6:50 PM Brian K. White
> > mailto:b.kenyo...@gmail.com>> wrote:
> >
> > On 2/25/23 10:31, bir...@soigeneris.com
> >  wrote:
> >  > Morning all,
> >  >
> >  > I just made this video live this AM. The DARs for the
> > Model T computers
> >  > have sold out already but my friend is making more.
> >  >
> >  > In this video we take a look at the ‘Dial-A-ROM’ a spiffy
> > new multi-ROM
> >  > for vintage portable computers. It was designed by the
> > same guy who did
> >  > the Backpack drive. First, we’ll learn how to use the
> > Dial-A-ROM with
> >  > the ROM images that come preinstalled on it. Then we’ll
> > see how to add
> >  > our own ROM images if we so desire.
> >  >
> >  > *https://youtu.be/CejyLsI0HIw
> >   > >
> >  >
> >  > Jeff Birt (Hey Birt!)*
> >  >
> >
> > And for the diy-er, I finally vetted these last week:
> > https://github.com/bkw777/Teeprom/blob/master/4ROM.md
> > 
> >
> > --
> > bkw
> >
>
> --
> bkw
>
>

Re: [M100] - Backpack

[Mike Stein]

You're right. They're produced in relatively small quantities and sell out
pretty quickly; guess we'll have to wait for Jeff to respond.

m

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 11:57 AM ho collo  wrote:

> Thanks. I’ve tried both of those several times since I got my 100. Has
> been sold out since I’ve been looking.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Feb 26, 2023, at 10:21, Mike Stein  wrote:
>
> 
> Sorry; I forgot that it's been upgraded; try this link:
> https://www.soigeneris.com/tandy-tpdd-2-backpack-drive-2
>
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:22 AM ho collo  wrote:
>
>> That page has always come back out of stock.
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Feb 25, 2023, at 22:12, Mike Stein  wrote:
>>
>> 
>> https://www.soigeneris.com/vintage-computing?pagenumber=3
>>
>> On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 9:27 PM ho collo  wrote:
>>
>>> I have been searching for a source to actually purchase a backpack for a
>>> Model 100. Does anyone have a source where I can purchase a unit?
>>>
>>> Google has not been my friend.
>>>
>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>
>>> On Feb 25, 2023, at 20:21, Gary Weber  wrote:
>>>
>>> 
>>> Hi George,
>>>
>>> Yes you can configure the way the date is represented by your backpack
>>> sending commands to it when it is in regular serial mode:
>>> It's on page 37 of the User Manual, and here's a summary:
>>>
>>> To switch between 24-hour and 12-hour time format:
>>> set time 24
>>> set time ampm
>>>
>>> To switch between date formats:
>>> set date mdy
>>> set date dmy
>>> set date ymd
>>>
>>> Cheers,
>>> Gary
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 7:16 PM grima...@gmail.com 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 Thank you!

 I typed it in from GitHub. what I found is my Backpack is setup to
 reply with dd/mm/.

 However, Tandy BASIC appears to want the date in mm/dd/. The RTC.BA
 program seems to assume the date will come back in the correct format.

 Does the Backpack have a way to configure the output format?

 In the meantime i altered the program and it works fine!

 Best,
 George

 On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 8:30 PM  wrote:

> Yes, someone already wrote such a program and shared it. If you just
> got a Backpack Drive Plus it is already on the SD card. You can also
> download it from:
> https://github.com/Jeff-Birt/Backpack/tree/main/User_Programs
>
>
>
> There is an MT version and NEC version. Note that while these have a
> .BA extension they are really text files, a.k.a. .DO files. It has been 
> the
> convention to give BASIC programs shared as text files the .BA extension
> but if you try to load such a file as is BASIC will try to parse it on the
> fly and it can’t do so fast enough. The file extension needs to be changed
> to .DO. Load it into RAM, go to BASIC and do: LOAD”FILE.DO”. After it 
> loads
> do: SAVE”FILE.BA” and it is now a tokenized BASIC file.
>
> I’ll get these renamed and include the tokenized version in the future
> to avoid such confusion.
>
>
>
> Jeff Birt
>
>
>
> *From:* M100  *On Behalf Of *
> grima...@gmail.com
> *Sent:* Saturday, February 25, 2023 7:19 PM
> *To:* m...@bitchin100.com
> *Subject:* Re: [M100] - Backpack
>
>
>
> Random question - Does a BASIC program already exist to interface with
> the Backpack to set the clock?
>
>
>
> I find myself having to Cold start the machine often, but this handy
> Backpack has a real time clock in it.
>
>
>
> Would be great to run a quick program that interfaces with the
> Backpack over serial, issues the TIME, DATE and DAY commands, queries the
> current system time and date, calculates the delta and then resets the
> system clock.
>
>
>
> I started to write the program in BASIC, but I admit I don’t know much
> about serial communication. I managed to open the COM buffer for output,
> send the four CR to wake it. However, I then PRINT “TIME”+chr$(13) after
> that, close the buffer, reopen it for input and then try to get the 
> result.
>
>
>
> However I only end up with:
>
>
>
> C
>
> #
>
> T
>
>
>
> As if the second PRINT never went through.
>
>
>
> So rather than continue to rack my brain, I figured I’d ask if it
> already exists.
>
>
>
> -George
>
>
>
> On Fri, Feb 17, 2023 at 4:44 PM Mike Stein 
> wrote:
>
> It might not be that straightforward; the printer port is partially
> shared with the keyboard.
>
>
>
> On Fri, Feb 17, 2023 at 10:58 AM Alex ... 
> wrote:
>
> Wire a R2R DAC to the printer port and have the M100 play music Covox
> style. 
>
>
>
> On Wed, Feb 15, 2023, 14:21 Fisher  wrote:
>
> All it needs in its next version is an 8mm stereo jack, an mp3 player
> and some jukebox 

Re: [M100] Possible BBS launch

[Mike Stein]

Most VoiP systems don't play very well with old tone-encoded protocols like
modems or FAX machines, but if you have a POTS line or can get it to work
with VoiP then most modems will let you dial out with either TT or pulse
and also answer incoming calls.

FWIW there are cell-phone to 'normal' phone adapters out there; e.g.::
https://www.cell2jack.com/
I've never tried any of mine and I'd be surprised if it worked any better
than 'normal' VoiP, but might be worth trying.

m

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:40 AM grima...@gmail.com 
wrote:

> Hi Jesse,
>
> Do you happen to have any more details on your setup?
>
> I suppose in an ideal world, I’d like a setup that I can dial out from my
> rotary phone, and a second line that I could dial in to a modem.
>
> How difficult does that sound? I tried to use MagicJack previously but the
> compression codex they use doesn’t play well with data transfer.
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:11 AM Jesse Lafleur 
> wrote:
>
>> I can provide bell 103 compatible 100% online dial-in access to linux
>> servers/services using voip/asterisk/etc. I use my m100 to dial into my
>> local home pbx server, and ive even tried it over the web!
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 7:44 AM grima...@gmail.com 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> What are the odds that any of these BBSes would allow dialing in from a
>>> real phone line?
>>>
>>> There is a Commodore 64 BBS out there called BorderlineBBS that has a
>>> hybrid Telnet/Dial-Up interface.
>>>
>>> I managed to use the acoustic couplers to dial in once from the Model T,
>>> but ever since switching to VOIP I wasn’t able to get it to work.
>>>
>>> I really always loved BBSing, so I would be in full support of using a
>>> Model T focused BBS.
>>>
>>> -George
>>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 7:30 AM Ben Strewens 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 On 2023-02-26 4:50 a.m., Daniel L wrote:

 I'm considering a specialized launch of a BBS catering to the modelT
 community. Any good boards out there already doing this that I can peruse?

 Daniel

 I'm currently working on one that will support multiple systems,
 including the model 100. I'm aiming for going all the way down to the Epson
 HX-20, but we'll see how that pans out. It won't be up and running for a
 while yet. We're supposed to get a new ISP here this year. The one who
 bought out the company I was with closed all my ports and had no clue how
 to re-open them, so my BBS got shut down. In the meantime, I figured I'd
 work on one that caters to the vintage computer community. I still have
 lots of work ahead of me.

>>>

Re: [M100] Possible BBS launch

[Gregory McGill]

Sure is there a easy to find list?  I can create a model 100 specific
'language' file for the BBS..

Greg

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 7:57 AM Stephen Adolph  wrote:

> Yah the keep was fun.  Gotta do that again.
> Greg - would there be a way to provide the M100 escape codes so that
> terminal emulation would work better?
>
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 10:52 AM Gregory McGill 
> wrote:
>
>> The KEEP BBS online since 83
>> I have a model t area
>> Stephen recently logged in with mcomm
>> Dialup and telnet
>> Https://thekeep.net for details
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023, 5:54 AM Jesse Lafleur 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> You can 100% accomplish this using an affordable PAP2T ATA connected to
>>> either a local asterisk (free PBX software) or remote asterisk server over
>>> ethernet.
>>> This can be run entirely virtualised - no special hardware other than
>>> either a "landline" or the pap2t. (ill get to rotary later..)
>>>
>>> The PAP2T and asterisk can provide ulaw to allow 300bps connections.
>>> Yes, running a local asterisk is far more stable than trying to connect to
>>> one remotely, but ive done it!
>>> I have a setup functioning to 4800 baud for faster modems as well.
>>>
>>> The rotary element will likely need a pulse to tone adapter, lots of
>>> options for that, I use a PBX and I also have a few purpose devices new and
>>> old.
>>>
>>> You can easily have a BBS software or custom *NIX program to interface,
>>> and with the various termcap things in this group that have been shared,
>>> you can get a viable connection.
>>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:41 AM grima...@gmail.com 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 Hi Jesse,

 Do you happen to have any more details on your setup?

 I suppose in an ideal world, I’d like a setup that I can dial out from
 my rotary phone, and a second line that I could dial in to a modem.

 How difficult does that sound? I tried to use MagicJack previously but
 the compression codex they use doesn’t play well with data transfer.

 On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:11 AM Jesse Lafleur 
 wrote:

> I can provide bell 103 compatible 100% online dial-in access to linux
> servers/services using voip/asterisk/etc. I use my m100 to dial into my
> local home pbx server, and ive even tried it over the web!
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 7:44 AM grima...@gmail.com 
> wrote:
>
>> What are the odds that any of these BBSes would allow dialing in from
>> a real phone line?
>>
>> There is a Commodore 64 BBS out there called BorderlineBBS that has a
>> hybrid Telnet/Dial-Up interface.
>>
>> I managed to use the acoustic couplers to dial in once from the Model
>> T, but ever since switching to VOIP I wasn’t able to get it to work.
>>
>> I really always loved BBSing, so I would be in full support of using
>> a Model T focused BBS.
>>
>> -George
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 7:30 AM Ben Strewens 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On 2023-02-26 4:50 a.m., Daniel L wrote:
>>>
>>> I'm considering a specialized launch of a BBS catering to the modelT
>>> community. Any good boards out there already doing this that I can 
>>> peruse?
>>>
>>> Daniel
>>>
>>> I'm currently working on one that will support multiple systems,
>>> including the model 100. I'm aiming for going all the way down to the 
>>> Epson
>>> HX-20, but we'll see how that pans out. It won't be up and running for a
>>> while yet. We're supposed to get a new ISP here this year. The one who
>>> bought out the company I was with closed all my ports and had no clue 
>>> how
>>> to re-open them, so my BBS got shut down. In the meantime, I figured I'd
>>> work on one that caters to the vintage computer community. I still have
>>> lots of work ahead of me.
>>>
>>

Re: [M100] - Backpack

[ho collo]

Thanks. I’ve tried both of those several times since I got my 100. Has been sold out since I’ve been looking. Sent from my iPhoneOn Feb 26, 2023, at 10:21, Mike Stein  wrote:Sorry; I forgot that it's been upgraded; try this link:https://www.soigeneris.com/tandy-tpdd-2-backpack-drive-2On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:22 AM ho collo  wrote:That page has always come back out of stock. Sent from my iPhoneOn Feb 25, 2023, at 22:12, Mike Stein  wrote:https://www.soigeneris.com/vintage-computing?pagenumber=3On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 9:27 PM ho collo  wrote:I have been searching for a source to actually purchase a backpack for a Model 100. Does anyone have a source where I can purchase a unit?Google has not been my friend. Sent from my iPhoneOn Feb 25, 2023, at 20:21, Gary Weber  wrote:Hi George,Yes you can configure the way the date is represented by your backpack sending commands to it when it is in regular serial mode:It's on page 37 of the User Manual, and here's a summary:To switch between 24-hour and 12-hour time format:set time 24set time ampmTo switch between date formats:set date mdyset date dmyset date ymdCheers,GaryOn Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 7:16 PM grima...@gmail.com  wrote:Thank you!I typed it in from GitHub. what I found is my Backpack is setup to reply with dd/mm/.However, Tandy BASIC appears to want the date in mm/dd/. The RTC.BA program seems to assume the date will come back in the correct format.Does the Backpack have a way to configure the output format? In the meantime i altered the program and it works fine!Best,GeorgeOn Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 8:30 PM  wrote:Yes, someone already wrote such a program and shared it. If you just got a Backpack Drive Plus it is already on the SD card. You can also download it from: https://github.com/Jeff-Birt/Backpack/tree/main/User_Programs  There is an MT version and NEC version. Note that while these have a .BA extension they are really text files, a.k.a. .DO files. It has been the convention to give BASIC programs shared as text files the .BA extension but if you try to load such a file as is BASIC will try to parse it on the fly and it can’t do so fast enough. The file extension needs to be changed to .DO. Load it into RAM, go to BASIC and do: LOAD”FILE.DO”. After it loads do: SAVE”FILE.BA” and it is now a tokenized BASIC file. I’ll get these renamed and include the tokenized version in the future to avoid such confusion. Jeff Birt From: M100  On Behalf Of grima...@gmail.comSent: Saturday, February 25, 2023 7:19 PMTo: m...@bitchin100.comSubject: Re: [M100] - Backpack Random question - Does a BASIC program already exist to interface with the Backpack to set the clock? I find myself having to Cold start the machine often, but this handy Backpack has a real time clock in it. Would be great to run a quick program that interfaces with the Backpack over serial, issues the TIME, DATE and DAY commands, queries the current system time and date, calculates the delta and then resets the system clock. I started to write the program in BASIC, but I admit I don’t know much about serial communication. I managed to open the COM buffer for output, send the four CR to wake it. However, I then PRINT “TIME”+chr$(13) after that, close the buffer, reopen it for input and then try to get the result. However I only end up with: C#T As if the second PRINT never went through. So rather than continue to rack my brain, I figured I’d ask if it already exists. -George On Fri, Feb 17, 2023 at 4:44 PM Mike Stein  wrote:It might not be that straightforward; the printer port is partially shared with the keyboard. On Fri, Feb 17, 2023 at 10:58 AM Alex ...  wrote:Wire a R2R DAC to the printer port and have the M100 play music Covox style.  On Wed, Feb 15, 2023, 14:21 Fisher  wrote:All it needs in its next version is an 8mm stereo jack, an mp3 player and some jukebox software for the laptop!Too much to wish for? No matter, it’s already a great piece of kit. :-) Sean On Feb 14, 2023, at 8:08 PM,   wrote: The Backpack was designed by a friend of mine who wishes to remain private. He sent me one and I thought it was great and encouraged him to make more offering my help. My only part of the design was the case.  Jeff Birt From: M100  On Behalf Of grima...@gmail.comSent: Tuesday, February 14, 2023 1:15 PMTo: Model 100 Discussion Subject: [M100] - Backpack Just received my Backpack from Soigeneris. All I have to say, is that I really like the design of it all. It’s relatively compact, it matches the design of the M100, and it runs on a single AA cell. I immediately plugged it in, and got it to work. Pretty much zero configuration needed. I’ve already got REX installed so I 

Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

[Mike Stein]

I don't quite follow the discussion either. I built some DaR equivalents
years ago for my AIM65s, using a tiny binary-encoded rotary switch like this
https://www.grayhill.com/documents/51BCD-Datasheet
mounted on the rear of the case, with a real knob; no other parts required.

Since those binary switches are normally a little expensive, I built
another one with a tiny diode board to encode a 'normal' rotary switch.

BTW, those surface mount switches as used in the DaR are available with
small knobs so you don't need a screwdriver, but I don't know whether that
would fit in the space.

Where is this 4 to 2 encoder IC that you mention required?

My question is how the XR4 selected one of four images; the extRAM just
uses the normal RAM/ROM switch at M5 but how does it (and maybe REX as
well) select one of several RAM areas? Is that what you (Brian) are talking
about?

m

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:24 AM Stephen Adolph  wrote:

> Brian, If I understand your comment, I don't think you need an IC to do
> rom selection. I think the DAR uses a rotary encoder.
> When I first saw the DAR, I wondered about that. I'm pretty sure I found
> the part at Digikey.  Very good!
> Steve
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 3:51 AM Brian White  wrote:
>
>> Gratuitous use of another chip just for 2 OR gates to implement a 4:2
>> encoder. It's all less efficient and less practical than the dial-a-rom, in
>> that the dar holds 16 roms and doesn't need another ic, and the dar
>> programming connection is even simpler and more robust.
>>
>> But it just amused me to have a direct selector without manually binary
>> encoding dip switches because why not? And I didn't want it to require a
>> tool to use either like a screwdriver. And of course I always want an open
>> source option, and I'm not up to the task of coming up with an open source
>> rex-alike but using a Lattice part and the open source toolchain.
>>
>> It's unfortunate timing but I had already started this at least 3 years
>> ago but just never finished it. A non-working version has been sitting in
>> that github since 2019. A few weeks ago I finally dusted it off and
>> corrected my bonehead pinout error, dialled-in the programming connection
>> so it works well (the holes are slightly closer together than the pins, and
>> the pattern and amount of offset took some trial & error) and replaced dip
>> switches with the slide switch & or gates. I had no idea the dar was in the
>> works. Not that it would have stopped me, but I just mean to say this isn't
>> a reaction.
>>
>> It's no competition anyway because only a very few people ever build
>> these diy-only things. I want them to exist so the option is there, but
>> almost no one actually employs it. So this is not touching anyone's sales.
>> Besides, *16* roms. And of course really it's even sillier when rex exists
>> which doesn't even need a programmer or adapter to load it's, what, 30?
>> slots? But for other platforms 4 is plenty. There's only 2 roms total for
>> the 600 for example. Still leaves 2 free slots for hacking.
>>
>> I just added the browser-friendly render of the schematic to the readme
>> so you can see the bank-select.
>>
>> --
>> bkw
>>
>> On Sat, Feb 25, 2023, 8:18 PM Mike Stein  wrote:
>>
>>> How do you select among the 4 images?
>>>
>>> On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 6:50 PM Brian K. White 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 On 2/25/23 10:31, bir...@soigeneris.com wrote:
 > Morning all,
 >
 > I just made this video live this AM. The DARs for the Model T
 computers
 > have sold out already but my friend is making more.
 >
 > In this video we take a look at the ‘Dial-A-ROM’ a spiffy new
 multi-ROM
 > for vintage portable computers. It was designed by the same guy who
 did
 > the Backpack drive. First, we’ll learn how to use the Dial-A-ROM with
 > the ROM images that come preinstalled on it. Then we’ll see how to
 add
 > our own ROM images if we so desire.
 >
 > *https://youtu.be/CejyLsI0HIw 
 >
 > Jeff Birt (Hey Birt!)*
 >

 And for the diy-er, I finally vetted these last week:
 https://github.com/bkw777/Teeprom/blob/master/4ROM.md

 --
 bkw

Re: [M100] - Backpack - Time/Date

[Georg Käter]

Following works for me, independent the format of "time format" set in BackPack
 
A=STR$(VAL(A)+(RIGHT$(A,1)="p"AND12))+RIGHT$(A,7):A="0"+RIGHT$(A,LEN(A)-1):TIME$=MID$(A,LEN(A)-8,8)where
 A is read from BackPack
 
Question now: Is there a way to read the "date format" from BackPack as US 
version uses MM/DD/YY, INT version uses DD/MM/YY and NEC uses YY/DD/MM?
 
Kind regards
Georg

== Ihre Nachricht ==

von      : Gary Weber 
gesendet : Sonntag, 26. Februar 2023, 03:20
an       : m...@bitchin100.com
Betreff  : [M100] - Backpack

__ Originalnachricht ___


> Hi George,

> Yes you can configure the way the date is represented by your backpack 
> sending commands to it when it is in regular serial mode:
> It's on page 37 of the User Manual, and here's a summary:
> To switch between 24-hour and 12-hour time format:
> set time 24
> set time ampm

> To switch between date formats:
> set date mdy
> set date dmy
> set date ymd

> Cheers,
> Gary


> On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 7:16 PM grima...@gmail.com  wrote:

>> Thank you!

>> I typed it in from GitHub. what I found is my Backpack is setup to reply 
>> with dd/mm/.

>> However, Tandy BASIC appears to want the date in mm/dd/. The RTC.BA 
>> program seems to assume the date will come back in the correct format.

>> Does the Backpack have a way to configure the output format? 

>> In the meantime i altered the program and it works fine!

>> Best,
>> George
>> On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 8:30 PM  wrote:

>>> Yes, someone already wrote such a program and shared it. If you just got a 
>>> Backpack Drive Plus it is already on the SD card. You can also download it 
>>> from: https://github.com/Jeff-Birt/Backpack/tree/main/User_Programs 
>>>  
>>> There is an MT version and NEC version. Note that while these have a .BA 
>>> extension they are really text files, a.k.a. .DO files. It has been the 
>>> convention to give BASIC programs shared as text files the .BA extension 
>>> but if you try to load such a file as is BASIC will try to parse it on the 
>>> fly and it can’t do so fast enough. The file extension needs to be changed 
>>> to .DO. Load it into RAM, go to BASIC and do: LOAD”FILE.DO”. After it loads 
>>> do: SAVE”FILE.BA” and it is now a tokenized BASIC file. 

>>> I’ll get these renamed and include the tokenized version in the future to 
>>> avoid such confusion.
>>>  
>>> Jeff Birt
>>>  
>>> From: M100  On Behalf Of 
>>> grima...@gmail.com
>>> Sent: Saturday, February 25, 2023 7:19 PM
>>> To: m...@bitchin100.com
>>> Subject: Re: [M100] - Backpack
>>>  
>>> Random question - Does a BASIC program already exist to interface with the 
>>> Backpack to set the clock?
>>>  
>>> I find myself having to Cold start the machine often, but this handy 
>>> Backpack has a real time clock in it.
>>>  
>>> Would be great to run a quick program that interfaces with the Backpack 
>>> over serial, issues the TIME, DATE and DAY commands, queries the current 
>>> system time and date, calculates the delta and then resets the system clock.
>>>  
>>> I started to write the program in BASIC, but I admit I don’t know much 
>>> about serial communication. I managed to open the COM buffer for output, 
>>> send the four CR to wake it. However, I then PRINT “TIME”+chr$(13) after 
>>> that, close the buffer, reopen it for input and then try to get the result.
>>>  
>>> However I only end up with:
>>>  
>>> C
>>> #
>>> T
>>>  
>>> As if the second PRINT never went through.
>>>  
>>> So rather than continue to rack my brain, I figured I’d ask if it already 
>>> exists.
>>>  
>>> -George
>>>  
>>> On Fri, Feb 17, 2023 at 4:44 PM Mike Stein  wrote:
 It might not be that straightforward; the printer port is partially shared 
 with the keyboard.
  
 On Fri, Feb 17, 2023 at 10:58 AM Alex ...  wrote:
> Wire a R2R DAC to the printer port and have the M100 play music Covox 
> style. 
>  
> On Wed, Feb 15, 2023, 14:21 Fisher  wrote:
>> All it needs in its next version is an 8mm stereo jack, an mp3 player 
>> and some jukebox software for the laptop!
>> Too much to wish for? No matter, it’s already a great piece of kit. :-)
>>  
>> Sean
>>  
>>> On Feb 14, 2023, at 8:08 PM,  
>>>  wrote:
>>>  
>>> The Backpack was designed by a friend of mine who wishes to remain 
>>> private. He sent me one and I thought it was great and encouraged him 
>>> to make more offering my help. My only part of the design was the case. 
>>>  
>>> Jeff Birt
>>>  
>>> From: M100  On Behalf Of 
>>> grima...@gmail.com
>>> Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2023 1:15 PM
>>> To: Model 100 Discussion 
>>> Subject: [M100] - Backpack
>>>  
>>> Just received my Backpack from Soigeneris. All I have to say, is that I 
>>> really like the design of it all. It’s relatively compact, it matches 
>>> the design of the M100, and it 

Re: [M100] - Backpack

[Mike Stein]

Sorry; I forgot that it's been upgraded; try this link:
https://www.soigeneris.com/tandy-tpdd-2-backpack-drive-2


On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:22 AM ho collo  wrote:

> That page has always come back out of stock.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Feb 25, 2023, at 22:12, Mike Stein  wrote:
>
> 
> https://www.soigeneris.com/vintage-computing?pagenumber=3
>
> On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 9:27 PM ho collo  wrote:
>
>> I have been searching for a source to actually purchase a backpack for a
>> Model 100. Does anyone have a source where I can purchase a unit?
>>
>> Google has not been my friend.
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Feb 25, 2023, at 20:21, Gary Weber  wrote:
>>
>> 
>> Hi George,
>>
>> Yes you can configure the way the date is represented by your backpack
>> sending commands to it when it is in regular serial mode:
>> It's on page 37 of the User Manual, and here's a summary:
>>
>> To switch between 24-hour and 12-hour time format:
>> set time 24
>> set time ampm
>>
>> To switch between date formats:
>> set date mdy
>> set date dmy
>> set date ymd
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Gary
>>
>>
>> On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 7:16 PM grima...@gmail.com 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Thank you!
>>>
>>> I typed it in from GitHub. what I found is my Backpack is setup to reply
>>> with dd/mm/.
>>>
>>> However, Tandy BASIC appears to want the date in mm/dd/. The RTC.BA
>>> program seems to assume the date will come back in the correct format.
>>>
>>> Does the Backpack have a way to configure the output format?
>>>
>>> In the meantime i altered the program and it works fine!
>>>
>>> Best,
>>> George
>>>
>>> On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 8:30 PM  wrote:
>>>
 Yes, someone already wrote such a program and shared it. If you just
 got a Backpack Drive Plus it is already on the SD card. You can also
 download it from:
 https://github.com/Jeff-Birt/Backpack/tree/main/User_Programs



 There is an MT version and NEC version. Note that while these have a
 .BA extension they are really text files, a.k.a. .DO files. It has been the
 convention to give BASIC programs shared as text files the .BA extension
 but if you try to load such a file as is BASIC will try to parse it on the
 fly and it can’t do so fast enough. The file extension needs to be changed
 to .DO. Load it into RAM, go to BASIC and do: LOAD”FILE.DO”. After it loads
 do: SAVE”FILE.BA” and it is now a tokenized BASIC file.

 I’ll get these renamed and include the tokenized version in the future
 to avoid such confusion.



 Jeff Birt



 *From:* M100  *On Behalf Of *
 grima...@gmail.com
 *Sent:* Saturday, February 25, 2023 7:19 PM
 *To:* m...@bitchin100.com
 *Subject:* Re: [M100] - Backpack



 Random question - Does a BASIC program already exist to interface with
 the Backpack to set the clock?



 I find myself having to Cold start the machine often, but this handy
 Backpack has a real time clock in it.



 Would be great to run a quick program that interfaces with the Backpack
 over serial, issues the TIME, DATE and DAY commands, queries the current
 system time and date, calculates the delta and then resets the system 
 clock.



 I started to write the program in BASIC, but I admit I don’t know much
 about serial communication. I managed to open the COM buffer for output,
 send the four CR to wake it. However, I then PRINT “TIME”+chr$(13) after
 that, close the buffer, reopen it for input and then try to get the result.



 However I only end up with:



 C

 #

 T



 As if the second PRINT never went through.



 So rather than continue to rack my brain, I figured I’d ask if it
 already exists.



 -George



 On Fri, Feb 17, 2023 at 4:44 PM Mike Stein  wrote:

 It might not be that straightforward; the printer port is partially
 shared with the keyboard.



 On Fri, Feb 17, 2023 at 10:58 AM Alex ... 
 wrote:

 Wire a R2R DAC to the printer port and have the M100 play music Covox
 style. 



 On Wed, Feb 15, 2023, 14:21 Fisher  wrote:

 All it needs in its next version is an 8mm stereo jack, an mp3 player
 and some jukebox software for the laptop!

 Too much to wish for? No matter, it’s already a great piece of kit. :-)



 Sean





 On Feb 14, 2023, at 8:08 PM,  <
 bir...@soigeneris.com> wrote:



 The Backpack was designed by a friend of mine who wishes to remain
 private. He sent me one and I thought it was great and encouraged him to
 make more offering my help. My only part of the design was the case.



 Jeff Birt



 *From:* M100  *On Behalf Of *
 grima...@gmail.com
 *Sent:* 

Re: [M100] M100 LCD repair video and alternative use for unused screen RAM

[grima...@gmail.com]

Just noting here, I pushed Text Sweeper 2.5.0 yesterday.

Minor changes:
-Support for DVI Screen 1
-Exit to Menu instead of Basic.

On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 3:37 PM Philip Avery  wrote:

> Correct Mike, a 1950 Land Rover. This one:
>
>
>
> Philip
>
> On 26/02/2023 8:07 am, MikeS wrote:
>
> 
>
> Knowing Philip, more likely a Land Rover or a Jeep ;-)
>
> - Original Message -
> *From:* B 9 
> *To:* m...@bitchin100.com
> *Sent:* Saturday, February 25, 2023 4:01 AM
> *Subject:* Re: [M100] M100 LCD repair video and alternative use for
> unused screen RAM
>
>
> On Fri, Feb 24, 2023 at 1:21 PM Philip Avery  wrote:
>
>> My excuse is I was commissioned to
>> do a vintage vehicle restoration which has soaked up all my spare time
>> for the last 2-years.
>
>
> Vintage vehicles are fun, too. This wouldn't happen to have been a Model
> T, would it?
>
> The good news is I'm almost complete & I expect
>> within a few months to get my vintage computing time back & be able to
>> resolve any M100 CP/M issues & add new features...
>
>
> Yay!
>
> —b9
>
>
>

Re: [M100] Possible BBS launch

[Stephen Adolph]

Yah the keep was fun.  Gotta do that again.
Greg - would there be a way to provide the M100 escape codes so that
terminal emulation would work better?


On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 10:52 AM Gregory McGill 
wrote:

> The KEEP BBS online since 83
> I have a model t area
> Stephen recently logged in with mcomm
> Dialup and telnet
> Https://thekeep.net for details
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023, 5:54 AM Jesse Lafleur  wrote:
>
>> You can 100% accomplish this using an affordable PAP2T ATA connected to
>> either a local asterisk (free PBX software) or remote asterisk server over
>> ethernet.
>> This can be run entirely virtualised - no special hardware other than
>> either a "landline" or the pap2t. (ill get to rotary later..)
>>
>> The PAP2T and asterisk can provide ulaw to allow 300bps connections. Yes,
>> running a local asterisk is far more stable than trying to connect to one
>> remotely, but ive done it!
>> I have a setup functioning to 4800 baud for faster modems as well.
>>
>> The rotary element will likely need a pulse to tone adapter, lots of
>> options for that, I use a PBX and I also have a few purpose devices new and
>> old.
>>
>> You can easily have a BBS software or custom *NIX program to interface,
>> and with the various termcap things in this group that have been shared,
>> you can get a viable connection.
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:41 AM grima...@gmail.com 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Hi Jesse,
>>>
>>> Do you happen to have any more details on your setup?
>>>
>>> I suppose in an ideal world, I’d like a setup that I can dial out from
>>> my rotary phone, and a second line that I could dial in to a modem.
>>>
>>> How difficult does that sound? I tried to use MagicJack previously but
>>> the compression codex they use doesn’t play well with data transfer.
>>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:11 AM Jesse Lafleur 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 I can provide bell 103 compatible 100% online dial-in access to linux
 servers/services using voip/asterisk/etc. I use my m100 to dial into my
 local home pbx server, and ive even tried it over the web!

 On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 7:44 AM grima...@gmail.com 
 wrote:

> What are the odds that any of these BBSes would allow dialing in from
> a real phone line?
>
> There is a Commodore 64 BBS out there called BorderlineBBS that has a
> hybrid Telnet/Dial-Up interface.
>
> I managed to use the acoustic couplers to dial in once from the Model
> T, but ever since switching to VOIP I wasn’t able to get it to work.
>
> I really always loved BBSing, so I would be in full support of using a
> Model T focused BBS.
>
> -George
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 7:30 AM Ben Strewens 
> wrote:
>
>> On 2023-02-26 4:50 a.m., Daniel L wrote:
>>
>> I'm considering a specialized launch of a BBS catering to the modelT
>> community. Any good boards out there already doing this that I can 
>> peruse?
>>
>> Daniel
>>
>> I'm currently working on one that will support multiple systems,
>> including the model 100. I'm aiming for going all the way down to the 
>> Epson
>> HX-20, but we'll see how that pans out. It won't be up and running for a
>> while yet. We're supposed to get a new ISP here this year. The one who
>> bought out the company I was with closed all my ports and had no clue how
>> to re-open them, so my BBS got shut down. In the meantime, I figured I'd
>> work on one that caters to the vintage computer community. I still have
>> lots of work ahead of me.
>>
>

Re: [M100] Possible BBS launch

[Gregory McGill]

The KEEP BBS online since 83
I have a model t area
Stephen recently logged in with mcomm
Dialup and telnet
Https://thekeep.net for details

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023, 5:54 AM Jesse Lafleur  wrote:

> You can 100% accomplish this using an affordable PAP2T ATA connected to
> either a local asterisk (free PBX software) or remote asterisk server over
> ethernet.
> This can be run entirely virtualised - no special hardware other than
> either a "landline" or the pap2t. (ill get to rotary later..)
>
> The PAP2T and asterisk can provide ulaw to allow 300bps connections. Yes,
> running a local asterisk is far more stable than trying to connect to one
> remotely, but ive done it!
> I have a setup functioning to 4800 baud for faster modems as well.
>
> The rotary element will likely need a pulse to tone adapter, lots of
> options for that, I use a PBX and I also have a few purpose devices new and
> old.
>
> You can easily have a BBS software or custom *NIX program to interface,
> and with the various termcap things in this group that have been shared,
> you can get a viable connection.
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:41 AM grima...@gmail.com 
> wrote:
>
>> Hi Jesse,
>>
>> Do you happen to have any more details on your setup?
>>
>> I suppose in an ideal world, I’d like a setup that I can dial out from my
>> rotary phone, and a second line that I could dial in to a modem.
>>
>> How difficult does that sound? I tried to use MagicJack previously but
>> the compression codex they use doesn’t play well with data transfer.
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:11 AM Jesse Lafleur 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I can provide bell 103 compatible 100% online dial-in access to linux
>>> servers/services using voip/asterisk/etc. I use my m100 to dial into my
>>> local home pbx server, and ive even tried it over the web!
>>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 7:44 AM grima...@gmail.com 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 What are the odds that any of these BBSes would allow dialing in from a
 real phone line?

 There is a Commodore 64 BBS out there called BorderlineBBS that has a
 hybrid Telnet/Dial-Up interface.

 I managed to use the acoustic couplers to dial in once from the Model
 T, but ever since switching to VOIP I wasn’t able to get it to work.

 I really always loved BBSing, so I would be in full support of using a
 Model T focused BBS.

 -George

 On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 7:30 AM Ben Strewens 
 wrote:

> On 2023-02-26 4:50 a.m., Daniel L wrote:
>
> I'm considering a specialized launch of a BBS catering to the modelT
> community. Any good boards out there already doing this that I can peruse?
>
> Daniel
>
> I'm currently working on one that will support multiple systems,
> including the model 100. I'm aiming for going all the way down to the 
> Epson
> HX-20, but we'll see how that pans out. It won't be up and running for a
> while yet. We're supposed to get a new ISP here this year. The one who
> bought out the company I was with closed all my ports and had no clue how
> to re-open them, so my BBS got shut down. In the meantime, I figured I'd
> work on one that caters to the vintage computer community. I still have
> lots of work ahead of me.
>

Re: [M100] steps needed to de-install an installed option ROM

[Stephen Adolph]

yah I scanned those and it didn't ring a bell yet; I'll keep looking.

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 10:02 AM Brian K. White 
wrote:

> Perhaps these?
>
> https://github.com/LivingM100SIG/Living_M100SIG/blob/main/M100SIG/Lib-08-TECH-PROGRAMMING/ROMSW.THD
>
> And a few others right next to it ROMSW1.TXT ROMSW2.TXT ROMSW.ZIP (which
> just has a txt in it)
>
> --
> bkw
>
>
> On 2/26/23 09:22, Stephen Adolph wrote:
> > There are some steps you can take to remove the traces of an installed
> > Option ROM from RAM, which work for all option ROMs as far as I know.
> >
> > There is a file in the M100SIG that outlines this but I could not find
> > it this morning. If I do I will reply back identifying the file.
> >
> > Anyhow this is what REX and REX# and REXCPM do:
> >
> > 1)  Initialize the hook table.  The hook table is a set of addresses
> > used by RST 7 calls in M100/T200/NEC.  The addresses are "jump-to"
> > vectors that allow software to hook into specific parts of the operating
> > system.  There are 2 "defaults" depending on the actual hook itself.  It
> > is pretty straightforward to write some machine code to reset the hook
> > table to nominal.  BASIC won't do it because you need full control of
> > the machine to cleanly change the hooks table.
> >
> > 2)  You want to remove any "trigger files" like TS-DOS(.BA) from RAM.
> > You can do this manually, or you could write some machine code to search
> > for the trigger file names in the directory, and delete the files.
> > This isn't "super easy" because it amounts to de-installation of a file
> > from RAM, which means you need to call some specific ROM routines to
> > adjust memory pointers etc.
> >
> > 3)  The M100 main ROM always copies the 8 bytes at 0x0040-0x0047 in the
> > Option ROM to upper RAM starting at 0xFAA4.  T200 is 0xF4D3, NEC is
> > 0xF991.  This region of memory should be reset to nominal, which is 8
> > bytes of 00.
> >
> > 4) Reset the upper RAM area used by Option ROMs to hook in.  On power
> > up, the M100 copies some software from the main ROM to upper RAM. Some
> > Option ROMs install their own code there when they install themselves.
> > in M100, you need to copy 36 bytes from 0x036F to 0xF602
> > in T200, you need to copy 42 bytes from 0x0372 to 0xEEC8
> > in NEC, you need to copy 42 bytes from 0x0440 to 0xF590
> >
> >
> > I think that's it.  I imagine what would be useful for manual rom
> > switchers is to have a little utility that you can run that "cleans out"
> > the Option ROM.
>
> --
> bkw
>
>

Re: [M100] steps needed to de-install an installed option ROM

[Brian K. White]

thanks for this reference

On 2/26/23 09:22, Stephen Adolph wrote:
There are some steps you can take to remove the traces of an installed 
Option ROM from RAM, which work for all option ROMs as far as I know.


There is a file in the M100SIG that outlines this but I could not find 
it this morning. If I do I will reply back identifying the file.


Anyhow this is what REX and REX# and REXCPM do:

1)  Initialize the hook table.  The hook table is a set of addresses 
used by RST 7 calls in M100/T200/NEC.  The addresses are "jump-to" 
vectors that allow software to hook into specific parts of the operating 
system.  There are 2 "defaults" depending on the actual hook itself.  It 
is pretty straightforward to write some machine code to reset the hook 
table to nominal.  BASIC won't do it because you need full control of 
the machine to cleanly change the hooks table.


2)  You want to remove any "trigger files" like TS-DOS(.BA) from RAM.  
You can do this manually, or you could write some machine code to search 
for the trigger file names in the directory, and delete the files.   
This isn't "super easy" because it amounts to de-installation of a file 
from RAM, which means you need to call some specific ROM routines to 
adjust memory pointers etc.


3)  The M100 main ROM always copies the 8 bytes at 0x0040-0x0047 in the 
Option ROM to upper RAM starting at 0xFAA4.  T200 is 0xF4D3, NEC is 
0xF991.  This region of memory should be reset to nominal, which is 8 
bytes of 00.


4) Reset the upper RAM area used by Option ROMs to hook in.  On power 
up, the M100 copies some software from the main ROM to upper RAM. Some 
Option ROMs install their own code there when they install themselves.

in M100, you need to copy 36 bytes from 0x036F to 0xF602
in T200, you need to copy 42 bytes from 0x0372 to 0xEEC8
in NEC, you need to copy 42 bytes from 0x0440 to 0xF590


I think that's it.  I imagine what would be useful for manual rom 
switchers is to have a little utility that you can run that "cleans out" 
the Option ROM.


--
bkw

Re: [M100] steps needed to de-install an installed option ROM

[Brian K. White]

Perhaps these?
https://github.com/LivingM100SIG/Living_M100SIG/blob/main/M100SIG/Lib-08-TECH-PROGRAMMING/ROMSW.THD

And a few others right next to it ROMSW1.TXT ROMSW2.TXT ROMSW.ZIP (which 
just has a txt in it)


--
bkw


On 2/26/23 09:22, Stephen Adolph wrote:
There are some steps you can take to remove the traces of an installed 
Option ROM from RAM, which work for all option ROMs as far as I know.


There is a file in the M100SIG that outlines this but I could not find 
it this morning. If I do I will reply back identifying the file.


Anyhow this is what REX and REX# and REXCPM do:

1)  Initialize the hook table.  The hook table is a set of addresses 
used by RST 7 calls in M100/T200/NEC.  The addresses are "jump-to" 
vectors that allow software to hook into specific parts of the operating 
system.  There are 2 "defaults" depending on the actual hook itself.  It 
is pretty straightforward to write some machine code to reset the hook 
table to nominal.  BASIC won't do it because you need full control of 
the machine to cleanly change the hooks table.


2)  You want to remove any "trigger files" like TS-DOS(.BA) from RAM.  
You can do this manually, or you could write some machine code to search 
for the trigger file names in the directory, and delete the files.   
This isn't "super easy" because it amounts to de-installation of a file 
from RAM, which means you need to call some specific ROM routines to 
adjust memory pointers etc.


3)  The M100 main ROM always copies the 8 bytes at 0x0040-0x0047 in the 
Option ROM to upper RAM starting at 0xFAA4.  T200 is 0xF4D3, NEC is 
0xF991.  This region of memory should be reset to nominal, which is 8 
bytes of 00.


4) Reset the upper RAM area used by Option ROMs to hook in.  On power 
up, the M100 copies some software from the main ROM to upper RAM. Some 
Option ROMs install their own code there when they install themselves.

in M100, you need to copy 36 bytes from 0x036F to 0xF602
in T200, you need to copy 42 bytes from 0x0372 to 0xEEC8
in NEC, you need to copy 42 bytes from 0x0440 to 0xF590


I think that's it.  I imagine what would be useful for manual rom 
switchers is to have a little utility that you can run that "cleans out" 
the Option ROM.


--
bkw

Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

[Brian K. White]

On 2/26/23 08:25, Stephen Adolph wrote:
sorry, Ignore my pre coffee comment.  I understand now, you were taking 
about your design. Sheesh.




hah, well I am guilty of top-posting



On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:23 AM Stephen Adolph > wrote:


Brian, If I understand your comment, I don't think you need an IC to
do rom selection. I think the DAR uses a rotary encoder.
When I first saw the DAR, I wondered about that. I'm pretty sure I
found the part at Digikey.  Very good!
Steve

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 3:51 AM Brian White mailto:b.kenyo...@gmail.com>> wrote:

Gratuitous use of another chip just for 2 OR gates to implement
a 4:2 encoder. It's all less efficient and less practical than
the dial-a-rom, in that the dar holds 16 roms and doesn't need
another ic, and the dar programming connection is even simpler
and more robust.

But it just amused me to have a direct selector without manually
binary encoding dip switches because why not? And I didn't want
it to require a tool to use either like a screwdriver. And of
course I always want an open source option, and I'm not up to
the task of coming up with an open source rex-alike but using a
Lattice part and the open source toolchain.

It's unfortunate timing but I had already started this at least
3 years ago but just never finished it. A non-working version
has been sitting in that github since 2019. A few weeks ago I
finally dusted it off and corrected my bonehead pinout error,
dialled-in the programming connection so it works well (the
holes are slightly closer together than the pins, and the
pattern and amount of offset took some trial & error) and
replaced dip switches with the slide switch & or gates. I had no
idea the dar was in the works. Not that it would have stopped
me, but I just mean to say this isn't a reaction.

It's no competition anyway because only a very few people ever
build these diy-only things. I want them to exist so the option
is there, but almost no one actually employs it. So this is not
touching anyone's sales. Besides, *16* roms. And of course
really it's even sillier when rex exists which doesn't even need
a programmer or adapter to load it's, what, 30? slots? But for
other platforms 4 is plenty. There's only 2 roms total for the
600 for example. Still leaves 2 free slots for hacking.

I just added the browser-friendly render of the schematic to the
readme so you can see the bank-select.

-- 
bkw


On Sat, Feb 25, 2023, 8:18 PM Mike Stein mailto:mhs.st...@gmail.com>> wrote:

How do you select among the 4 images?

On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 6:50 PM Brian K. White
mailto:b.kenyo...@gmail.com>> wrote:

On 2/25/23 10:31, bir...@soigeneris.com
 wrote:
 > Morning all,
 >
 > I just made this video live this AM. The DARs for the
Model T computers
 > have sold out already but my friend is making more.
 >
 > In this video we take a look at the ‘Dial-A-ROM’ a
spiffy new multi-ROM
 > for vintage portable computers. It was designed by
the same guy who did
 > the Backpack drive. First, we’ll learn how to use the
Dial-A-ROM with
 > the ROM images that come preinstalled on it. Then
we’ll see how to add
 > our own ROM images if we so desire.
 >
 > *https://youtu.be/CejyLsI0HIw

>
 >
 > Jeff Birt (Hey Birt!)*
 >

And for the diy-er, I finally vetted these last week:
https://github.com/bkw777/Teeprom/blob/master/4ROM.md


-- 
bkw




--
bkw

Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

[Brian K. White]

On 2/26/23 08:23, Stephen Adolph wrote:
Brian, If I understand your comment, I don't think you need an IC to do 
rom selection. I think the DAR uses a rotary encoder.


I understand that the dar uses a rotary encoder.
The slide switch needs the extra glue.

I was responding to Mike's question "how does the bank select work?" 
answer: gratuitous extra parts because I just wanted a slide switch.



When I first saw the DAR, I wondered about that. I'm pretty sure I found 
the part at Digikey.  Very good!

Steve

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 3:51 AM Brian White > wrote:


Gratuitous use of another chip just for 2 OR gates to implement a
4:2 encoder. It's all less efficient and less practical than the
dial-a-rom, in that the dar holds 16 roms and doesn't need another
ic, and the dar programming connection is even simpler and more robust.

But it just amused me to have a direct selector without manually
binary encoding dip switches because why not? And I didn't want it
to require a tool to use either like a screwdriver. And of course I
always want an open source option, and I'm not up to the task of
coming up with an open source rex-alike but using a Lattice part and
the open source toolchain.

It's unfortunate timing but I had already started this at least 3
years ago but just never finished it. A non-working version has been
sitting in that github since 2019. A few weeks ago I finally dusted
it off and corrected my bonehead pinout error, dialled-in the
programming connection so it works well (the holes are slightly
closer together than the pins, and the pattern and amount of offset
took some trial & error) and replaced dip switches with the slide
switch & or gates. I had no idea the dar was in the works. Not that
it would have stopped me, but I just mean to say this isn't a reaction.

It's no competition anyway because only a very few people ever build
these diy-only things. I want them to exist so the option is there,
but almost no one actually employs it. So this is not touching
anyone's sales. Besides, *16* roms. And of course really it's even
sillier when rex exists which doesn't even need a programmer or
adapter to load it's, what, 30? slots? But for other platforms 4 is
plenty. There's only 2 roms total for the 600 for example. Still
leaves 2 free slots for hacking.

I just added the browser-friendly render of the schematic to the
readme so you can see the bank-select.

-- 
bkw


On Sat, Feb 25, 2023, 8:18 PM Mike Stein mailto:mhs.st...@gmail.com>> wrote:

How do you select among the 4 images?

On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 6:50 PM Brian K. White
mailto:b.kenyo...@gmail.com>> wrote:

On 2/25/23 10:31, bir...@soigeneris.com
 wrote:
 > Morning all,
 >
 > I just made this video live this AM. The DARs for the
Model T computers
 > have sold out already but my friend is making more.
 >
 > In this video we take a look at the ‘Dial-A-ROM’ a spiffy
new multi-ROM
 > for vintage portable computers. It was designed by the
same guy who did
 > the Backpack drive. First, we’ll learn how to use the
Dial-A-ROM with
 > the ROM images that come preinstalled on it. Then we’ll
see how to add
 > our own ROM images if we so desire.
 >
 > *https://youtu.be/CejyLsI0HIw
 >
 >
 > Jeff Birt (Hey Birt!)*
 >

And for the diy-er, I finally vetted these last week:
https://github.com/bkw777/Teeprom/blob/master/4ROM.md


-- 
bkw




--
bkw

[M100] steps needed to de-install an installed option ROM

[Stephen Adolph]

There are some steps you can take to remove the traces of an installed
Option ROM from RAM, which work for all option ROMs as far as I know.

There is a file in the M100SIG that outlines this but I could not find it
this morning. If I do I will reply back identifying the file.

Anyhow this is what REX and REX# and REXCPM do:

1)  Initialize the hook table.  The hook table is a set of addresses used
by RST 7 calls in M100/T200/NEC.  The addresses are "jump-to" vectors that
allow software to hook into specific parts of the operating system.  There
are 2 "defaults" depending on the actual hook itself.  It is pretty
straightforward to write some machine code to reset the hook table to
nominal.  BASIC won't do it because you need full control of the machine to
cleanly change the hooks table.

2)  You want to remove any "trigger files" like TS-DOS(.BA) from RAM.  You
can do this manually, or you could write some machine code to search for
the trigger file names in the directory, and delete the files.   This isn't
"super easy" because it amounts to de-installation of a file from RAM,
which means you need to call some specific ROM routines to adjust memory
pointers etc.

3)  The M100 main ROM always copies the 8 bytes at 0x0040-0x0047 in the
Option ROM to upper RAM starting at 0xFAA4.  T200 is 0xF4D3, NEC is
0xF991.  This region of memory should be reset to nominal, which is 8 bytes
of 00.

4) Reset the upper RAM area used by Option ROMs to hook in.  On power up,
the M100 copies some software from the main ROM to upper RAM. Some Option
ROMs install their own code there when they install themselves.
in M100, you need to copy 36 bytes from 0x036F to 0xF602
in T200, you need to copy 42 bytes from 0x0372 to 0xEEC8
in NEC, you need to copy 42 bytes from 0x0440 to 0xF590


I think that's it.  I imagine what would be useful for manual rom switchers
is to have a little utility that you can run that "cleans out" the Option
ROM.

Re: [M100] Possible BBS launch

[Jesse Lafleur]

You can 100% accomplish this using an affordable PAP2T ATA connected to
either a local asterisk (free PBX software) or remote asterisk server over
ethernet.
This can be run entirely virtualised - no special hardware other than
either a "landline" or the pap2t. (ill get to rotary later..)

The PAP2T and asterisk can provide ulaw to allow 300bps connections. Yes,
running a local asterisk is far more stable than trying to connect to one
remotely, but ive done it!
I have a setup functioning to 4800 baud for faster modems as well.

The rotary element will likely need a pulse to tone adapter, lots of
options for that, I use a PBX and I also have a few purpose devices new and
old.

You can easily have a BBS software or custom *NIX program to interface, and
with the various termcap things in this group that have been shared, you
can get a viable connection.

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:41 AM grima...@gmail.com 
wrote:

> Hi Jesse,
>
> Do you happen to have any more details on your setup?
>
> I suppose in an ideal world, I’d like a setup that I can dial out from my
> rotary phone, and a second line that I could dial in to a modem.
>
> How difficult does that sound? I tried to use MagicJack previously but the
> compression codex they use doesn’t play well with data transfer.
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:11 AM Jesse Lafleur 
> wrote:
>
>> I can provide bell 103 compatible 100% online dial-in access to linux
>> servers/services using voip/asterisk/etc. I use my m100 to dial into my
>> local home pbx server, and ive even tried it over the web!
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 7:44 AM grima...@gmail.com 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> What are the odds that any of these BBSes would allow dialing in from a
>>> real phone line?
>>>
>>> There is a Commodore 64 BBS out there called BorderlineBBS that has a
>>> hybrid Telnet/Dial-Up interface.
>>>
>>> I managed to use the acoustic couplers to dial in once from the Model T,
>>> but ever since switching to VOIP I wasn’t able to get it to work.
>>>
>>> I really always loved BBSing, so I would be in full support of using a
>>> Model T focused BBS.
>>>
>>> -George
>>>
>>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 7:30 AM Ben Strewens 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 On 2023-02-26 4:50 a.m., Daniel L wrote:

 I'm considering a specialized launch of a BBS catering to the modelT
 community. Any good boards out there already doing this that I can peruse?

 Daniel

 I'm currently working on one that will support multiple systems,
 including the model 100. I'm aiming for going all the way down to the Epson
 HX-20, but we'll see how that pans out. It won't be up and running for a
 while yet. We're supposed to get a new ISP here this year. The one who
 bought out the company I was with closed all my ports and had no clue how
 to re-open them, so my BBS got shut down. In the meantime, I figured I'd
 work on one that caters to the vintage computer community. I still have
 lots of work ahead of me.

>>>

Re: [M100] Possible BBS launch

[grima...@gmail.com]

Hi Jesse,

Do you happen to have any more details on your setup?

I suppose in an ideal world, I’d like a setup that I can dial out from my
rotary phone, and a second line that I could dial in to a modem.

How difficult does that sound? I tried to use MagicJack previously but the
compression codex they use doesn’t play well with data transfer.

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:11 AM Jesse Lafleur  wrote:

> I can provide bell 103 compatible 100% online dial-in access to linux
> servers/services using voip/asterisk/etc. I use my m100 to dial into my
> local home pbx server, and ive even tried it over the web!
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 7:44 AM grima...@gmail.com 
> wrote:
>
>> What are the odds that any of these BBSes would allow dialing in from a
>> real phone line?
>>
>> There is a Commodore 64 BBS out there called BorderlineBBS that has a
>> hybrid Telnet/Dial-Up interface.
>>
>> I managed to use the acoustic couplers to dial in once from the Model T,
>> but ever since switching to VOIP I wasn’t able to get it to work.
>>
>> I really always loved BBSing, so I would be in full support of using a
>> Model T focused BBS.
>>
>> -George
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 7:30 AM Ben Strewens  wrote:
>>
>>> On 2023-02-26 4:50 a.m., Daniel L wrote:
>>>
>>> I'm considering a specialized launch of a BBS catering to the modelT
>>> community. Any good boards out there already doing this that I can peruse?
>>>
>>> Daniel
>>>
>>> I'm currently working on one that will support multiple systems,
>>> including the model 100. I'm aiming for going all the way down to the Epson
>>> HX-20, but we'll see how that pans out. It won't be up and running for a
>>> while yet. We're supposed to get a new ISP here this year. The one who
>>> bought out the company I was with closed all my ports and had no clue how
>>> to re-open them, so my BBS got shut down. In the meantime, I figured I'd
>>> work on one that caters to the vintage computer community. I still have
>>> lots of work ahead of me.
>>>
>>

Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

[birt_j]

I’ll be doing a video on it eventually. It is quite a complex little beasty, 
need to take some time and really learn how to use it.

 

Jeff Birt

 

From: M100  On Behalf Of Daniel L
Sent: Sunday, February 26, 2023 3:44 AM
To: m100@lists.bitchin100.com
Subject: Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

 

Good video Jeff. Anyone have a demo for that weather tracker? Looks DOPE

On 2/25/23 07:31, bir...@soigeneris.com   wrote:

Morning all,

I just made this video live this AM. The DARs for the Model T computers have 
sold out already but my friend is making more. 

In this video we take a look at the ‘Dial-A-ROM’ a spiffy new multi-ROM for 
vintage portable computers. It was designed by the same guy who did the 
Backpack drive. First, we’ll learn how to use the Dial-A-ROM with the ROM 
images that come preinstalled on it. Then we’ll see how to add our own ROM 
images if we so desire.

https://youtu.be/CejyLsI0HIw

Jeff Birt (Hey Birt!)

 

Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

[Stephen Adolph]

sorry, Ignore my pre coffee comment.  I understand now, you were taking
about your design. Sheesh.

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 8:23 AM Stephen Adolph  wrote:

> Brian, If I understand your comment, I don't think you need an IC to do
> rom selection. I think the DAR uses a rotary encoder.
> When I first saw the DAR, I wondered about that. I'm pretty sure I found
> the part at Digikey.  Very good!
> Steve
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 3:51 AM Brian White  wrote:
>
>> Gratuitous use of another chip just for 2 OR gates to implement a 4:2
>> encoder. It's all less efficient and less practical than the dial-a-rom, in
>> that the dar holds 16 roms and doesn't need another ic, and the dar
>> programming connection is even simpler and more robust.
>>
>> But it just amused me to have a direct selector without manually binary
>> encoding dip switches because why not? And I didn't want it to require a
>> tool to use either like a screwdriver. And of course I always want an open
>> source option, and I'm not up to the task of coming up with an open source
>> rex-alike but using a Lattice part and the open source toolchain.
>>
>> It's unfortunate timing but I had already started this at least 3 years
>> ago but just never finished it. A non-working version has been sitting in
>> that github since 2019. A few weeks ago I finally dusted it off and
>> corrected my bonehead pinout error, dialled-in the programming connection
>> so it works well (the holes are slightly closer together than the pins, and
>> the pattern and amount of offset took some trial & error) and replaced dip
>> switches with the slide switch & or gates. I had no idea the dar was in the
>> works. Not that it would have stopped me, but I just mean to say this isn't
>> a reaction.
>>
>> It's no competition anyway because only a very few people ever build
>> these diy-only things. I want them to exist so the option is there, but
>> almost no one actually employs it. So this is not touching anyone's sales.
>> Besides, *16* roms. And of course really it's even sillier when rex exists
>> which doesn't even need a programmer or adapter to load it's, what, 30?
>> slots? But for other platforms 4 is plenty. There's only 2 roms total for
>> the 600 for example. Still leaves 2 free slots for hacking.
>>
>> I just added the browser-friendly render of the schematic to the readme
>> so you can see the bank-select.
>>
>> --
>> bkw
>>
>> On Sat, Feb 25, 2023, 8:18 PM Mike Stein  wrote:
>>
>>> How do you select among the 4 images?
>>>
>>> On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 6:50 PM Brian K. White 
>>> wrote:
>>>
 On 2/25/23 10:31, bir...@soigeneris.com wrote:
 > Morning all,
 >
 > I just made this video live this AM. The DARs for the Model T
 computers
 > have sold out already but my friend is making more.
 >
 > In this video we take a look at the ‘Dial-A-ROM’ a spiffy new
 multi-ROM
 > for vintage portable computers. It was designed by the same guy who
 did
 > the Backpack drive. First, we’ll learn how to use the Dial-A-ROM with
 > the ROM images that come preinstalled on it. Then we’ll see how to
 add
 > our own ROM images if we so desire.
 >
 > *https://youtu.be/CejyLsI0HIw 
 >
 > Jeff Birt (Hey Birt!)*
 >

 And for the diy-er, I finally vetted these last week:
 https://github.com/bkw777/Teeprom/blob/master/4ROM.md

 --
 bkw

Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

[Stephen Adolph]

Brian, If I understand your comment, I don't think you need an IC to do rom
selection. I think the DAR uses a rotary encoder.
When I first saw the DAR, I wondered about that. I'm pretty sure I found
the part at Digikey.  Very good!
Steve

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 3:51 AM Brian White  wrote:

> Gratuitous use of another chip just for 2 OR gates to implement a 4:2
> encoder. It's all less efficient and less practical than the dial-a-rom, in
> that the dar holds 16 roms and doesn't need another ic, and the dar
> programming connection is even simpler and more robust.
>
> But it just amused me to have a direct selector without manually binary
> encoding dip switches because why not? And I didn't want it to require a
> tool to use either like a screwdriver. And of course I always want an open
> source option, and I'm not up to the task of coming up with an open source
> rex-alike but using a Lattice part and the open source toolchain.
>
> It's unfortunate timing but I had already started this at least 3 years
> ago but just never finished it. A non-working version has been sitting in
> that github since 2019. A few weeks ago I finally dusted it off and
> corrected my bonehead pinout error, dialled-in the programming connection
> so it works well (the holes are slightly closer together than the pins, and
> the pattern and amount of offset took some trial & error) and replaced dip
> switches with the slide switch & or gates. I had no idea the dar was in the
> works. Not that it would have stopped me, but I just mean to say this isn't
> a reaction.
>
> It's no competition anyway because only a very few people ever build these
> diy-only things. I want them to exist so the option is there, but almost no
> one actually employs it. So this is not touching anyone's sales. Besides,
> *16* roms. And of course really it's even sillier when rex exists which
> doesn't even need a programmer or adapter to load it's, what, 30? slots?
> But for other platforms 4 is plenty. There's only 2 roms total for the 600
> for example. Still leaves 2 free slots for hacking.
>
> I just added the browser-friendly render of the schematic to the readme so
> you can see the bank-select.
>
> --
> bkw
>
> On Sat, Feb 25, 2023, 8:18 PM Mike Stein  wrote:
>
>> How do you select among the 4 images?
>>
>> On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 6:50 PM Brian K. White 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On 2/25/23 10:31, bir...@soigeneris.com wrote:
>>> > Morning all,
>>> >
>>> > I just made this video live this AM. The DARs for the Model T
>>> computers
>>> > have sold out already but my friend is making more.
>>> >
>>> > In this video we take a look at the ‘Dial-A-ROM’ a spiffy new
>>> multi-ROM
>>> > for vintage portable computers. It was designed by the same guy who
>>> did
>>> > the Backpack drive. First, we’ll learn how to use the Dial-A-ROM with
>>> > the ROM images that come preinstalled on it. Then we’ll see how to add
>>> > our own ROM images if we so desire.
>>> >
>>> > *https://youtu.be/CejyLsI0HIw 
>>> >
>>> > Jeff Birt (Hey Birt!)*
>>> >
>>>
>>> And for the diy-er, I finally vetted these last week:
>>> https://github.com/bkw777/Teeprom/blob/master/4ROM.md
>>>
>>> --
>>> bkw
>>>
>>>

Re: [M100] - Backpack

[ho collo]

That page has always come back out of stock. Sent from my iPhoneOn Feb 25, 2023, at 22:12, Mike Stein  wrote:https://www.soigeneris.com/vintage-computing?pagenumber=3On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 9:27 PM ho collo  wrote:I have been searching for a source to actually purchase a backpack for a Model 100. Does anyone have a source where I can purchase a unit?Google has not been my friend. Sent from my iPhoneOn Feb 25, 2023, at 20:21, Gary Weber  wrote:Hi George,Yes you can configure the way the date is represented by your backpack sending commands to it when it is in regular serial mode:It's on page 37 of the User Manual, and here's a summary:To switch between 24-hour and 12-hour time format:set time 24set time ampmTo switch between date formats:set date mdyset date dmyset date ymdCheers,GaryOn Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 7:16 PM grima...@gmail.com  wrote:Thank you!I typed it in from GitHub. what I found is my Backpack is setup to reply with dd/mm/.However, Tandy BASIC appears to want the date in mm/dd/. The RTC.BA program seems to assume the date will come back in the correct format.Does the Backpack have a way to configure the output format? In the meantime i altered the program and it works fine!Best,GeorgeOn Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 8:30 PM  wrote:Yes, someone already wrote such a program and shared it. If you just got a Backpack Drive Plus it is already on the SD card. You can also download it from: https://github.com/Jeff-Birt/Backpack/tree/main/User_Programs  There is an MT version and NEC version. Note that while these have a .BA extension they are really text files, a.k.a. .DO files. It has been the convention to give BASIC programs shared as text files the .BA extension but if you try to load such a file as is BASIC will try to parse it on the fly and it can’t do so fast enough. The file extension needs to be changed to .DO. Load it into RAM, go to BASIC and do: LOAD”FILE.DO”. After it loads do: SAVE”FILE.BA” and it is now a tokenized BASIC file. I’ll get these renamed and include the tokenized version in the future to avoid such confusion. Jeff Birt From: M100  On Behalf Of grima...@gmail.comSent: Saturday, February 25, 2023 7:19 PMTo: m...@bitchin100.comSubject: Re: [M100] - Backpack Random question - Does a BASIC program already exist to interface with the Backpack to set the clock? I find myself having to Cold start the machine often, but this handy Backpack has a real time clock in it. Would be great to run a quick program that interfaces with the Backpack over serial, issues the TIME, DATE and DAY commands, queries the current system time and date, calculates the delta and then resets the system clock. I started to write the program in BASIC, but I admit I don’t know much about serial communication. I managed to open the COM buffer for output, send the four CR to wake it. However, I then PRINT “TIME”+chr$(13) after that, close the buffer, reopen it for input and then try to get the result. However I only end up with: C#T As if the second PRINT never went through. So rather than continue to rack my brain, I figured I’d ask if it already exists. -George On Fri, Feb 17, 2023 at 4:44 PM Mike Stein  wrote:It might not be that straightforward; the printer port is partially shared with the keyboard. On Fri, Feb 17, 2023 at 10:58 AM Alex ...  wrote:Wire a R2R DAC to the printer port and have the M100 play music Covox style.  On Wed, Feb 15, 2023, 14:21 Fisher  wrote:All it needs in its next version is an 8mm stereo jack, an mp3 player and some jukebox software for the laptop!Too much to wish for? No matter, it’s already a great piece of kit. :-) Sean On Feb 14, 2023, at 8:08 PM,   wrote: The Backpack was designed by a friend of mine who wishes to remain private. He sent me one and I thought it was great and encouraged him to make more offering my help. My only part of the design was the case.  Jeff Birt From: M100  On Behalf Of grima...@gmail.comSent: Tuesday, February 14, 2023 1:15 PMTo: Model 100 Discussion Subject: [M100] - Backpack Just received my Backpack from Soigeneris. All I have to say, is that I really like the design of it all. It’s relatively compact, it matches the design of the M100, and it runs on a single AA cell. I immediately plugged it in, and got it to work. Pretty much zero configuration needed. I’ve already got REX installed so I was able to load up TS-DOS and be off to the races. Shout out to Soigeneris and to whomever designed and built this device! Best,George 

Re: [M100] Possible BBS launch

[Jesse Lafleur]

I can provide bell 103 compatible 100% online dial-in access to linux
servers/services using voip/asterisk/etc. I use my m100 to dial into my
local home pbx server, and ive even tried it over the web!

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 7:44 AM grima...@gmail.com 
wrote:

> What are the odds that any of these BBSes would allow dialing in from a
> real phone line?
>
> There is a Commodore 64 BBS out there called BorderlineBBS that has a
> hybrid Telnet/Dial-Up interface.
>
> I managed to use the acoustic couplers to dial in once from the Model T,
> but ever since switching to VOIP I wasn’t able to get it to work.
>
> I really always loved BBSing, so I would be in full support of using a
> Model T focused BBS.
>
> -George
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 7:30 AM Ben Strewens  wrote:
>
>> On 2023-02-26 4:50 a.m., Daniel L wrote:
>>
>> I'm considering a specialized launch of a BBS catering to the modelT
>> community. Any good boards out there already doing this that I can peruse?
>>
>> Daniel
>>
>> I'm currently working on one that will support multiple systems,
>> including the model 100. I'm aiming for going all the way down to the Epson
>> HX-20, but we'll see how that pans out. It won't be up and running for a
>> while yet. We're supposed to get a new ISP here this year. The one who
>> bought out the company I was with closed all my ports and had no clue how
>> to re-open them, so my BBS got shut down. In the meantime, I figured I'd
>> work on one that caters to the vintage computer community. I still have
>> lots of work ahead of me.
>>
>

Re: [M100] Possible BBS launch

[grima...@gmail.com]

What are the odds that any of these BBSes would allow dialing in from a
real phone line?

There is a Commodore 64 BBS out there called BorderlineBBS that has a
hybrid Telnet/Dial-Up interface.

I managed to use the acoustic couplers to dial in once from the Model T,
but ever since switching to VOIP I wasn’t able to get it to work.

I really always loved BBSing, so I would be in full support of using a
Model T focused BBS.

-George

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 7:30 AM Ben Strewens  wrote:

> On 2023-02-26 4:50 a.m., Daniel L wrote:
>
> I'm considering a specialized launch of a BBS catering to the modelT
> community. Any good boards out there already doing this that I can peruse?
>
> Daniel
>
> I'm currently working on one that will support multiple systems, including
> the model 100. I'm aiming for going all the way down to the Epson HX-20,
> but we'll see how that pans out. It won't be up and running for a while
> yet. We're supposed to get a new ISP here this year. The one who bought out
> the company I was with closed all my ports and had no clue how to re-open
> them, so my BBS got shut down. In the meantime, I figured I'd work on one
> that caters to the vintage computer community. I still have lots of work
> ahead of me.
>

Re: [M100] Possible BBS launch

[Ben Strewens]

On 2023-02-26 4:50 a.m., Daniel L wrote:
I'm considering a specialized launch of a BBS catering to the modelT 
community. Any good boards out there already doing this that I can peruse?


Daniel


I'm currently working on one that will support multiple systems, 
including the model 100. I'm aiming for going all the way down to the 
Epson HX-20, but we'll see how that pans out. It won't be up and running 
for a while yet. We're supposed to get a new ISP here this year. The one 
who bought out the company I was with closed all my ports and had no 
clue how to re-open them, so my BBS got shut down. In the meantime, I 
figured I'd work on one that caters to the vintage computer community. I 
still have lots of work ahead of me.

[M100] Possible BBS launch

[Daniel L]

I'm considering a specialized launch of a BBS catering to the modelT 
community. Any good boards out there already doing this that I can peruse?


Daniel

Re: [M100] - Backpack

[Brian White]

oh yeah... looking at the schematic again I forgot the actual function of
the 3 /OE pins is still a question until actually tried.

So it's not quite time yet to claim 200 has this option that 100 and 102
have had for a few years.

With the one pin being connected directly to A15 according to the service
manual, I implemented that pin as active high. But until I actually try it,
who knows? The schematic claims it's an active low /CE by labelling it that
way. Yet... A15.   `\_(oo)_/'


bkw

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023, 4:56 AM Brian White  wrote:

> It still works. I use it. And anyone can build themselves a new one any
> time from my re-spin plans, it just hasn't changed and probably never will
> because I am not up to picking apart the firmware to hack on it nor write a
> new one. It's Steve's last version.
>
> The only advancement is I made adapter boards for model 200 recently like
> I had for 100 & 102 already, where the board includes a copy of a standard
> rom so that it functions just like the original rom, but also provides a
> solderless connection out to rex and back so that you can boot from the rex
> or boot from internal without having to open the case again. And the
> connections are all dupont jumper wires, so installable/removable without
> soldering, and without blocking the original socket preventing having an
> internal main rom.
>
> Some weeks ago when we were talking about the weird 8k chip in the 200, I
> made a board for that. So now 200 also has this option to keep an internal
> rom and still boot from rex. For the main 32k chip in the 200, you just use
> the same one as 102. At the time we all decided based on the data sheets
> that if all you wanted to do was replace that 8k chip, you should be able
> to just use a normal 27C64, but I decided to actually implement the extra
> control pin with a few gates just to be sure.
>
> I have built and programmed that new board so I at least know the
> programing jumper setting works, but have not tried installing it yet.
> github.com/bkw777/aDIPters#flexrom_200_m13
>
> It's kind of wildly impractical. These small eeprom are getting stupid
> expensive. I'm afraid to add up the cost of all the bits to make a rex
> classic and these two rom adapter boards to make a 200 with rex classic and
> still usable internal main rom. I mean I have already got all those bits,
> but I just mean I don't want to find out explicitly just how dumb it is. ;)
>
> But I do love my 100 and 102 with the same option. I switch between stock
> internal main rom with no rex, like when testing that ram+ or pgdesigns
> ram, rex classic software main rom, rexcpm, and back etc any time without
> opening the case any more. I love it.
>
> And it's all just sockets and dupont pin connectors. I could put the
> original stock rom back in any time. I could also ditch the jumper wires to
> rex yet still use the non-original main rom by just installing a jumper on
> the pins on the board in place of the wires. I could also still update the
> rom on the board. That would require opening the case again but no
> soldering.
>
> bkw
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023, 12:46 AM Mike Stein  wrote:
>
>> Yeah, the XR4 would certainly expand the options (pun intended) but I
>> never quite figured out how they selected among the images; I did work out
>> another solution and started building a 16MB RAM expansion but never
>> actually finished or tested any of it. Things like REX, the Backpack and
>> the Dial-a-ROM are a lot easier ;-)
>>
>> The issue is that when TS-DOS is in (the single) ROM space it would get
>> clobbered by loading another ROM image there; I'll have to have another
>> look at it all, including the EME tools, to see how it might work. Am I
>> missing something?
>>
>> BTW, I haven't used my REX in years; AFAIR it's the original version with
>> the System ROM replacement option and I guess there's not much support for
>> that these days?
>>
>> m
>>
>> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 12:14 AM Stephen Adolph 
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Mike, not sure I follow.
>>> You know you can have multiple ram spaces in option locations.  Like xr4.
>>> Could an xr4 do what you want?
>>>
>>> Xr4 was a tidy solution.  Needed a few wires to make it work.
>>>
>>> I guess I don't understand why tsdos is not compatible with option ram?
>>> Seems like it is, just like any other rom program?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sunday, February 26, 2023, Mike Stein  wrote:
>>>
 As you may remember, years ago I designed an adapter that let you put
 both the system image and an option ROM image into a single chip that
 replaced the System ROM, both the standard (new) or non-standard (old)
 version; some folks on here may even still have one in their M100, probably
 loaded with TS-DOS.

 In another M100 I replaced the option ROM with RAM and load/save/copy
 etc. various ROM images using the EME extRAM tools, but of course I can't
 have TS-DOS in the same memory area as the option ROMs.

 The Dial-a-ROM and 

Re: [M100] - Backpack

[Brian White]

It still works. I use it. And anyone can build themselves a new one any
time from my re-spin plans, it just hasn't changed and probably never will
because I am not up to picking apart the firmware to hack on it nor write a
new one. It's Steve's last version.

The only advancement is I made adapter boards for model 200 recently like I
had for 100 & 102 already, where the board includes a copy of a standard
rom so that it functions just like the original rom, but also provides a
solderless connection out to rex and back so that you can boot from the rex
or boot from internal without having to open the case again. And the
connections are all dupont jumper wires, so installable/removable without
soldering, and without blocking the original socket preventing having an
internal main rom.

Some weeks ago when we were talking about the weird 8k chip in the 200, I
made a board for that. So now 200 also has this option to keep an internal
rom and still boot from rex. For the main 32k chip in the 200, you just use
the same one as 102. At the time we all decided based on the data sheets
that if all you wanted to do was replace that 8k chip, you should be able
to just use a normal 27C64, but I decided to actually implement the extra
control pin with a few gates just to be sure.

I have built and programmed that new board so I at least know the
programing jumper setting works, but have not tried installing it yet.
github.com/bkw777/aDIPters#flexrom_200_m13

It's kind of wildly impractical. These small eeprom are getting stupid
expensive. I'm afraid to add up the cost of all the bits to make a rex
classic and these two rom adapter boards to make a 200 with rex classic and
still usable internal main rom. I mean I have already got all those bits,
but I just mean I don't want to find out explicitly just how dumb it is. ;)

But I do love my 100 and 102 with the same option. I switch between stock
internal main rom with no rex, like when testing that ram+ or pgdesigns
ram, rex classic software main rom, rexcpm, and back etc any time without
opening the case any more. I love it.

And it's all just sockets and dupont pin connectors. I could put the
original stock rom back in any time. I could also ditch the jumper wires to
rex yet still use the non-original main rom by just installing a jumper on
the pins on the board in place of the wires. I could also still update the
rom on the board. That would require opening the case again but no
soldering.

bkw

On Sun, Feb 26, 2023, 12:46 AM Mike Stein  wrote:

> Yeah, the XR4 would certainly expand the options (pun intended) but I
> never quite figured out how they selected among the images; I did work out
> another solution and started building a 16MB RAM expansion but never
> actually finished or tested any of it. Things like REX, the Backpack and
> the Dial-a-ROM are a lot easier ;-)
>
> The issue is that when TS-DOS is in (the single) ROM space it would get
> clobbered by loading another ROM image there; I'll have to have another
> look at it all, including the EME tools, to see how it might work. Am I
> missing something?
>
> BTW, I haven't used my REX in years; AFAIR it's the original version with
> the System ROM replacement option and I guess there's not much support for
> that these days?
>
> m
>
> On Sun, Feb 26, 2023 at 12:14 AM Stephen Adolph 
> wrote:
>
>> Mike, not sure I follow.
>> You know you can have multiple ram spaces in option locations.  Like xr4.
>> Could an xr4 do what you want?
>>
>> Xr4 was a tidy solution.  Needed a few wires to make it work.
>>
>> I guess I don't understand why tsdos is not compatible with option ram?
>> Seems like it is, just like any other rom program?
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sunday, February 26, 2023, Mike Stein  wrote:
>>
>>> As you may remember, years ago I designed an adapter that let you put
>>> both the system image and an option ROM image into a single chip that
>>> replaced the System ROM, both the standard (new) or non-standard (old)
>>> version; some folks on here may even still have one in their M100, probably
>>> loaded with TS-DOS.
>>>
>>> In another M100 I replaced the option ROM with RAM and load/save/copy
>>> etc. various ROM images using the EME extRAM tools, but of course I can't
>>> have TS-DOS in the same memory area as the option ROMs.
>>>
>>> The Dial-a-ROM and REX are certainly excellent solutions, but I'd still
>>> like to make the Option RAM concept compatible with TS-DOS, even if I have
>>> to add or reuse a physical switch to select between RAM and ROM. Any other
>>> ideas?
>>>
>>> m
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 11:26 PM John R. Hogerhuis 
>>> wrote:
>>>


 On Sat, Feb 25, 2023, 8:18 PM Mike Stein  wrote:

> Yeah, I guess everybody has TS-DOS in ROM one way or another these
> days; I've thought about putting it in the system ROM instead of the
> Scheduler and Address Book, but removing them doesn't really free up much
> space; maybe Teeny would fit...
>
>
 Scheduler 

Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

[Daniel L]

Good video Jeff. Anyone have a demo for that weather tracker? Looks DOPE

On 2/25/23 07:31, bir...@soigeneris.com wrote:


Morning all,

I just made this video live this AM. The DARs for the Model T 
computers have sold out already but my friend is making more.


In this video we take a look at the ‘Dial-A-ROM’ a spiffy new 
multi-ROM for vintage portable computers. It was designed by the same 
guy who did the Backpack drive. First, we’ll learn how to use the 
Dial-A-ROM with the ROM images that come preinstalled on it. Then 
we’ll see how to add our own ROM images if we so desire.


*https://youtu.be/CejyLsI0HIw

Jeff Birt (Hey Birt!)*

Re: [M100] VIDEO - Dial-A-ROM for the Model T computers (and others)

[Brian White]

Gratuitous use of another chip just for 2 OR gates to implement a 4:2
encoder. It's all less efficient and less practical than the dial-a-rom, in
that the dar holds 16 roms and doesn't need another ic, and the dar
programming connection is even simpler and more robust.

But it just amused me to have a direct selector without manually binary
encoding dip switches because why not? And I didn't want it to require a
tool to use either like a screwdriver. And of course I always want an open
source option, and I'm not up to the task of coming up with an open source
rex-alike but using a Lattice part and the open source toolchain.

It's unfortunate timing but I had already started this at least 3 years ago
but just never finished it. A non-working version has been sitting in that
github since 2019. A few weeks ago I finally dusted it off and corrected my
bonehead pinout error, dialled-in the programming connection so it works
well (the holes are slightly closer together than the pins, and the pattern
and amount of offset took some trial & error) and replaced dip switches
with the slide switch & or gates. I had no idea the dar was in the works.
Not that it would have stopped me, but I just mean to say this isn't a
reaction.

It's no competition anyway because only a very few people ever build these
diy-only things. I want them to exist so the option is there, but almost no
one actually employs it. So this is not touching anyone's sales. Besides,
*16* roms. And of course really it's even sillier when rex exists which
doesn't even need a programmer or adapter to load it's, what, 30? slots?
But for other platforms 4 is plenty. There's only 2 roms total for the 600
for example. Still leaves 2 free slots for hacking.

I just added the browser-friendly render of the schematic to the readme so
you can see the bank-select.

-- 
bkw

On Sat, Feb 25, 2023, 8:18 PM Mike Stein  wrote:

> How do you select among the 4 images?
>
> On Sat, Feb 25, 2023 at 6:50 PM Brian K. White 
> wrote:
>
>> On 2/25/23 10:31, bir...@soigeneris.com wrote:
>> > Morning all,
>> >
>> > I just made this video live this AM. The DARs for the Model T computers
>> > have sold out already but my friend is making more.
>> >
>> > In this video we take a look at the ‘Dial-A-ROM’ a spiffy new multi-ROM
>> > for vintage portable computers. It was designed by the same guy who did
>> > the Backpack drive. First, we’ll learn how to use the Dial-A-ROM with
>> > the ROM images that come preinstalled on it. Then we’ll see how to add
>> > our own ROM images if we so desire.
>> >
>> > *https://youtu.be/CejyLsI0HIw 
>> >
>> > Jeff Birt (Hey Birt!)*
>> >
>>
>> And for the diy-er, I finally vetted these last week:
>> https://github.com/bkw777/Teeprom/blob/master/4ROM.md
>>
>> --
>> bkw
>>
>>